Ethos Statement

Being a Church of England school,  our Christian values and school family are very important to us.  We follow four basic elements which together form an ecology of abundant life.  They are educating for wisdom, knowledge and skills; hope and aspiration; community and living well together; and dignity and respect.

We believe that all children are loved by God, are individually unique and that the school is committed to helping each child to fulfil their potential in all aspect of their childhood: physically, academically, socially, morally and spiritually.

Children of all ages are encouraged to interact with each other in a caring focused way. We want all children to progress individually according to their needs, whilst setting high expectations for them and all the adults in school. The school works on a basis of clear aims and values in a trusting and open, but secure environment. Parents are encouraged to play a full role in the school as effective child development is about the whole school and community working together.

Ensuring that our children have every opportunity to develop the confidence and capacity to become successful, lifelong learners is a key task for us.

The School’s Christian Vision Statement

“Let your light shine”   Matthew 5:16 is our central vision.  Everyone is encouraged to shine through living out our values of trust, honesty, thankfulness, respect and faith.

Enabling us to grow, learn and achieve together

Our  Vision in action

At Cold Harbour we aim to live out our Christian vision in all we do. Our vision is supported by core values which we visit throughout the school year. These values grow during the academic year, following the calendar of the church year, providing a rich range of learning experiences for our whole school community. As a Church of England school we value all of God’s children and welcome pupils of all faiths and none. Our vision and supporting values enables everyone to achieve and flourish; to let their light shine as an example to everyone.

Our Legal Requirement

All schools must provide a daily act of collective worship for all pupils which must be ‘wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character’ (Education Reform Act 1988).

The aim of collective worship is to develop pupils socially, morally, spiritually and culturally. The 1994 legal framework documentation regarding collective worship still stands. Added to this is the recent requirement to promote British values as part of Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development (Ofsted, September 2014, DfE, November 2014).

Collective worship fulfils part of the school’s duty to develop pupils spiritually, morally, socially and culturally. Pupils are given the opportunity to learn about interesting cultural traditions and there meaning, listen to stories with a moral message and reflect on themes such as wisdom, courage or loyalty. It also draws pupils’ attention to the key values we hope to develop and promote both within our school community and in each individual. It is about the growth of the whole person, their character and social outlook, whatever their academic aptitudes.

Collective worship gives pupils and school staff the opportunity to:

• engage in an act of community

• express praise and thanks to God

• be still and reflect

• express the big questions of life and respond to national events

• foster respect and deepen spiritual awareness

• reflect on the character of God ad on the teachings of Christ

• affirm Christian values and attitudes

• share each other’s joys and challenges

• celebrate special times in the Christian calendar