Christian Distinctiveness

Our vision:

Flourishing in the

LOVE OF GOD
LOVE OF LIFE
LOVE OF LEARNING

This vision is rooted in the passage from the Bible, John 10:10 ‘Life in all it’s fullness’. We see our school as a place that supports ALL to experience life in all it’s fullness.

For us it is critical that every child flourishes both academically and personally so that they can succeed in life and become positive citizens.

Our vision is underpinned by our school values of:

ASPIRATION RESILIENCE CREATIVITY
COMMUNITY KINDNESS

In order for all to flourish at our school, it is important to us to nourish children’s spiritual development. Spirituality can determine who we are, and our self-understanding. It forms the basis for successful relationships, and shapes our behaviours and outlook on life, others and the world.

Spirituality is personal to every individual. It is not the same as having a religion or faith – a person can be spiritual without a particular faith.

Spirituality at SJSC allows children to flourish. Spirituality at SJSC is about:

  • Inspiration and curiosity,

  • Care for nature and living things,

  • Love for ourselves and others.

We nurture the spiritual development of our children through every aspect of school life:

  • our curriculum

  • our approach to teaching

  • lunchtimes and play times

  • collective worship

  • children’s roles

  • inspiring trips and experiences

  • opportunities to work in nature such as gardening and forest school

    Below you can read more about how our children are developed spiritually and therefore supported to flourish.

  • We strive to reflect the love of God, love of life and love of learning in all that we do.

    We build our school on our core values of aspiration, resilience, creativity, community and kindness.

    Our aim is to foster the intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual development of all our children. We believe that children need a caring, consistent environment where they are treated with respect and where their well-being is seen as paramount in order to achieve to their full potential.

  • Click here to read our Spirituality Policy.

  • Our school is linked with, and supported by, our parish churches of St John the Evangelist and St Clement with St Peter.

    Throughout the year we work closely with the Churches including a Harvest Service, Christmas, Easter, and end of term services.

    As part of their learning children visit the church, and work on projects such as church yard litter picks or singing for church groups.

    Reverend Gill is one of our school governors. She regularly comes into school to lead collective worship and spend time with the staff and children.

  • SJSC is part of the Diocese of Southwark and works closely with the Southwark Diocese Board of Education.

  • Aims of Collective Worship:

    • ·The heartbeat of our school - a time for the school to come together and connect as a community with a shared ethos.

    • Part of a wider opportunity for children and adults to encounter faith by engaging in conversations about God, whilst enabling all children to benefit without compromising their beliefs.

    • Collective Worship is linked to all aspects of school life so that it has meaningful impact on school culture.

    Our daily Christian-based assemblies foster the children's moral and spiritual development and build on their experiences.

    Throughout our week we:

    Explore - Be inspired by and discuss the big questions of life, respond to national events. Celebrate special times in the Christian calendar.

    Affirm - Christian values and attitudes.

    Sing - Expressing joy, praise and thanksgiving.

    Reflect - How can what we learn impact our school and lives?

    Celebrate - Celebrate and encourage each other. Reflect on how we are flourishing and demonstrating our values.