Flourishing in F.A.I.T.H. (Family, All Included, Thriving & Healthy)

At The John Wesley Church of England & Methodist Primary School, our vision of life without limits in all its fullness puts our children and families at the centre of everything. In our inclusive and unique community with two distinctively Christian foundations, every experience enables all to flourish as individuals and to thrive as God intended; mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

We are an inclusive, child centred, family school at the heart of our community guided by the words of Jesus - ‘I have come that they may have life, life in all its fullness’ John 10:10. Jesus gave his disciples a vision of a life that is full of possibilities and dreams yet to be met. We are a school at the heart of our community, enabling us to build close links with the families in our local area because a strong sense of belonging is important to us.

Our number one priority is to ensure that we always put all of our learners at the very heart of everything we do.

Our school has a strong, Christian ethos and a sense of belonging for everyone who joins our school community. We are proud of our Christian distinctiveness and believe that through living out our school values children will become respectful, loving and compassionate and knowledgeable to thrive as God intended.  Our mental, physical, emotional and spiritual development and well-being is paramount in all that we do at JWS. Within the context of Christian belief and practice, every child in our school is nurtured within the love of God to feel safe and valued. In our diverse community, our strong distinctively Christian Church of England and Methodist foundation fosters a caring and inclusive approach for families of all faiths and none, treating each child and their family with care, dignity and respect as individuals, bringing fullness of life and hope for the future.

We encourage everyone to develop a love of learning and make a positive contribution to all aspects of school life. We have high aspirations for all children and an expectation that they will excel and achieve their potential. We understand that every child is precious, blessed with their own unique set of gifts and talents. With this in mind, our staff work to develop the whole child as they discover where their strengths and interests lie.

We aim to foster each child’s growing perception of the world, encouraging self-control, self-respect, emotional and spiritual growth that, in turn, helps pupils to recognise that other people are unique, special and of equal value to themselves and to God. Relationships throughout the school are open and consistent, encouraging confidence in pupils combined with mutual respect. The pupils are encouraged to develop their own personal values as well as developing quality relationships so that pupils feel free to express and explore their views openly and honestly. Pupils are encouraged to ask questions, at the same time acquiring knowledge and skills which help to develop understanding of spiritual, moral, cultural and social issues. Throughout, the School encourages and promotes an ethos that extends to all, being friendly towards each other, combined with a mutual respect built on a combination of our Christian values of love, forgiveness, compassion, wisdom, service and koinonia.

Our vision and associated values are theologically centred on the Bible narrative ‘The Good Samaritan’ (Luke 10:25-37).  Our chosen story inspires life and learning at The John Wesley Church of England & Methodist Primary School (JWS).

LOVE   FORGIVENESS   COMPASSION    SERVICE    WISDOM   KOINONIA

• Biblically “Flourishing” encompasses all of our being, including our material, physiological, spiritual and emotional aspects. “We flourish when we help others flourish” Jeremiah 29 v4-7, as the Good Samaritan flourished when he helped the stranger.

• Jesus told the story of ‘The Good Samaritan’ to demonstrate his love of the individual despite their backgrounds or lifestyles. The Samaritan shows the stranger sacrificial love thinking not of himself but of another. He shows the values of respect bringing dignity and making a difference to the life of the individual. Jesus then sets a challenge: “You go then and do the same” thus instructing us to make a difference. In our daily lives this can be lived out through our attitude, behaviour and actions towards others. We model this as staff and in our behaviour policy, working on rebuilding broken relationships and forgiveness with each day being a fresh start.

• In the parable of ‘The Good Samaritan’ Jesus was asked the question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and love your neighbour as yourself.” Matthew 7 v12. In this way we are called to respect ourselves and others showing a deep admiration by our loving and thoughtful attitude to those around us because of their importance to God.

• In the parable of ‘The Good Samaritan’, Jesus talks about the compassion shown to the man in need. Jesus tells us to go and have the same compassion as the Samaritan showed.  We believe that in this way we can all have a positive impact on others and the world around us. Jesus came to bring light to the world, to push back the darkness and lead people into fullness of life. Jesus spoke to them saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
   
• Colossians 3:23-24 says ‘Whatever you do, work heartily for the Lord and not for man, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord.’ Within the parable of ‘The Good Samaritan’, the Samaritan gave what he could to help the wounded man. He first took care of him himself, and then, when he had to leave, he paid an innkeeper to nurse the man back to health. In the parable, Jesus illustrated the two forms of Christian service: first, assistance provided personally and directly to another; second, giving support indirectly by donating one’s own property to those who have the time and skills to help to those in need. We are teaching children that however old they may be they can have a positive impact on those around them and the wider world. Social Action and service to others is demonstrated through various voluntary projects and raising money for charity in our school.

• “The Good Samaritan” demonstrates he has great wisdom because he treats the man injured on the street as he would want to be treated despite the fact he was considered an enemy. At that time, the Samaritans were despised by the Jewish people, the story would have been shocking to the first listeners. Jesus said “love God and love your neighbour as much as you love yourself” Matthew 7 v12
   
• Koinonia expresses the quality of relationship within our Christian community. It is based on fellowship with Jesus. Through him, Christians share the relationship that Jesus has with God. A central element of being a family is interdependence: all are needed and valued and each person is important to the whole. Koinonia is exemplified through ‘The Good Samaritan’ story because the Good Samaritan created a community by including the stranger and supporting him to get better. Each member of the body shares the joys and sufferings of the others and each depends upon everyone else. “Together we can do great things” – Mother Theresa.