Christian Vision and values

'Apply your heart to discipline, and your ears to the words of knowledge.’ Proverbs 23:12 

 

At Stoke by Nayland, we educate the whole child - their heart and mind.  Our children become learners for life through the rich curriculum we provide that builds on the talents of every individual to ensure they reach their full potential, as God intended.  Our core values emphasise the importance of educating the heart as well as the mind, by teaching our children to be courageous, creative, compassionate and curious.  We want every child to know their own immeasurable worth and that they are known by a God who loves and cares for them.  

 

Our Core Values

Our core values were decided upon with input from all stakeholders, they summarise what Stoke by Nayland C of E Primary School stands for.  

 Courage

Jesus has inspired us to be courageous and to stand up for what is right.  We believe that with God’s help and with the encouragement of our families, friends and teachers, we can be courageous when facing challenges, stand against injustice and be the best we can be when things are difficult. 

‘Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened, for the Lord God is with you wherever you go’.  Joshua 1:9

 Compassion

Jesus showed kindness, mercy and compassion, and the love of God for everyone.  At Stoke by Nayland we aim to treat others how we would like to be treated, show empathy in a wide range of circumstances and help people so they feel cared for, just as God cares for us.

‘Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience’.  Colossians 3:12

 Creativity

We believe life is a gift entrusted by God and each person has a creative spirit to enjoy, celebrate and explore this world in all its mystery and diversity.  At Stoke by Nayland we value the unique talents of everyone and endeavour to use them creatively for our own enjoyment, to give pleasure to others and to make a difference in this world.

‘We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us’.  Romans 12:6

 

Curiosity

We believe curiosity is what God uses to make us wise so we can avoid the traps of sin.  A curious mind is open to new discoveries and to God’s dynamic and creative work in this world.  Curiosity about God anchors us in God’s strength as we ask more, seek more and learn more.  At Stoke by Nayland we encourage our children to be curious, igniting a passion for learning and recognising right from wrong. 

‘When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’.  John 8:12

 

  

Learning Culture

 

What outcomes do we want for the children of Stoke? 

 

Our children will be the best that they can be, reaching their full potential academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.  They will leave Stoke by Nayland with firm foundations in all curriculum areas; they will have been immersed in a wealth of enriching experiences and will hold learning behaviours that will enable them to be learners for life.  At Stoke by Nayland, our children will know that God is on their side and a friend to them - whom they can confide in, ask for help and thank for blessings. 

 

We achieve this by: 

 

         Providing an exciting knowledge-rich curriculum that builds on prior knowledge and understanding 

         Building enrichment sessions into each topic to enhance learning and give opportunities for awe and wonder 

         Challenging children of all abilities 

         Explicitly teaching positive learning behaviours 

         Providing Collective Worship each day to allow children to connect with God 

  

What attitudes do we want our children to possess? 

 

Our core values of Courage, Creativity, Compassion and Curiosity, mean the children of Stoke by Nayland embrace a positive attitude towards life and learning, and a self-belief that they can do anything they put their mind to.  Our children take responsibility for their own learning and are kind and considerate towards others. 

 

Positive Learning Behaviours

 

         Managing distractions 

         Becoming absorbed in learning 

         Persevering when learning is challenging 

         Reflecting on learning and behaviours 

         Being empathetic 

         Showing independence 

         Working collaboratively  

 

 What learning culture do we create at Stoke by Nayland? 

 

At Stoke by Nayland, we know that learning takes patience, courage and resilience.  We know that learning is a journey and that all of us make mistakes as part of that journey.  We recognise that our children are individuals and sometimes need a personalised approach to enable them to experience success.  As part of this, we teach the children about equity.

   

We know that children thrive academically when they feel safe and secure, so we pride ourselves on offering a curriculum that educates the whole child, and we ensure that we celebrate both academic and non-academic success by:   

 

         Being an inclusive school 

         Following the school rules of being Ready, Respectful and Safe 

         Educating our children in self-regulation 

         Celebrating success across the curriculum 

  

What aspirations do we have for our children? 

 

 

At Stoke by Nayland we encourage everyone to dream big and go for their goals.  We want our children to be confident individually, socially and in their own abilities, to become well-rounded, reflective problem solvers with the confidence to take on whatever challenges life throws at them knowing that God is always by their side.