'I have come in order that you might have life - life in all its fullness.'
John 10:10
Our Faith
Our Faith as a Church of England Primary SchoolSt Paul's Church of England Primary School is a caring and Christian community. Our whole school community of children, parents, carers staff and IEB members have contributed to articulating our vision for the education we aim to provide.
Educating for wisdom, knowledge and skills: enabling discipline, confidence and delight in seeking wisdom and knowledge, and developing talents in all areas of life.
Educating for hope and aspiration: enabling healing, repair and renewal, coping wisely when things go wrong, opening horizons and guiding people into ways of fulfilling them.
Educating for community and living well together: a core focus on relationships, participation in communities and the qualities of character that enable people to flourish together.
Educating for dignity and respect: the basic principle of respect for the value and preciousness of each person, treating each person as a unique individual of inherent worth.
What is a Church of England Primary School?Before the government became involved with providing education for everyone in England- there were church schools and other charitable schools. The majority of church schools were built in the 1800’s.
There were two requirements, the first to teach Christianity through “Religious Instruction” and the second to hold a regular act of worship.
When the state became involved with providing mass education, church schools became integrated into the education provided by the state. All these schools are known as maintained schools – they are funded by the state. All maintained schools including the Church school have to teach Religious Education and hold a daily act of worship. So church schools work on the same basis as community schools.
The purpose of a Church of England school is to offer a spiritual dimension to the lives of young people, within the traditions of the Church of England, in an increasingly secular world.
25% of primary schools in England have a Church foundation.
What is being added by being a Church of England School?
Church school have Christian beliefs and values at their heart. This means that every child and adult associated with the school is not just important because they are members of the school but because they are seen as unique individuals within God’s creation.
Church schools recognize that as well as academic and emotional intelligence human beings also have spiritual intelligence. The spiritual aspects of life will be recognized, and nurtured alongside the academic and emotional needs of all.
Church schools are places where challenge through questioning is encouraged as through this we can make sense of the world, the gift of life and the purpose of our own personal lives.
The purpose of a Church of England school is to offer a spiritual dimension to the lives of young people, within the traditions of the Church of England, in an increasingly secular world.
What Differences Should You Notice ?As a pupil, parent, carer, visitor or member of staff you should find that your church school is as good as any other good school but you should feel that the way the school works is different and distinctive. That distinctive difference will be rooted in Christian values that affect the way everyone is respected.
What Else?Church schools are encouraged to:
- Ensure that the school is led by a head teacher who is committed, with the help of staff, to establish and maintain the Christian character of the school in its day to day activities and in the curriculum
- Engage meaningfully in a real act of Christian worship every day
- Offer a school life that incorporates the values of the Christian faith
- Ensure that religious education is given at least 5% of school time and that the character and quality of religious education are a particular concern of the head teacher and the IEB.
- Observe the major Christian festivals and in schools which other faiths are present ensure that those faiths are able and encouraged to mark their major festivals with integrity
- Maintain and develop an active and affirming relationship with a parish church
PRAYERSPrayers
Praying is an important and essential aspect of being a Christian. It is our time to talk to God, to ask for his help, to ask for his forgiveness or to say thank you. There are no rules, it is up to you what you say.
Click here to watch a clip which explains prayer in a little more detail
School Prayers
Here are some of the prayers that we say, in school, on a daily basis.
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed is your name.
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done
On earth as in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
As we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For the Kingdom,
The power and the glory are yours.
Now and forever.
Amen.
Our Luchtime Prayer
For the food we are about to receive,
May the Lord make us truly thankful.
Amen
Our Hometime Prayer
Reception - Year 4
Lord keep us safe this night
Secure from all our fears.
May angels guard while we sleep
‘til morning light appears.
Amen
Manchester Diocese
St Paul’s Is a Church of England Primary School which is within the Diocese of Manchester.
The Manchester Diocesan Board of Education educates children from 12 Local Authorities, one of which is Bury.
Click here for more information about Manchester Diocese.
Click here for more information about Manchester Diocesan Board of Education