Our Christian Vision

Our Christian vision is at the heart of everything we do in school and is central to our relationship with our children’s families and the wider community. It has its basis in ‘The Good Samaritan’. The roots of our vision are embedded in love and respect, our core Christian values. From this central premise; that everyone is loved by God and that we should love one another, we enable our children to show love and respect for themselves, others and God’s creation.

The children learn to support one another while learning and during play, they are taught to look out for one another and to develop a sense of community, a sense of being a good neighbour.

It is not only in our school community where our children show love and respect. They work hard to support the local community in which they live, supporting The Heath Community Centre, collecting and giving to local projects, like The Croft on the Heath or taking part in Uttoxeter in Bloom to celebrate our wonderful world.  

As our children grow up, we want them to use their strong foundations to enable them to flourish as adults, looking at how they can support their neighbours, showing love and respect in their actions.  As our children grow up and become adults we hope they will continue to support their neighbours, whoever they may be.  Our strong sense of purpose which underpins all that we do is not just for while the children are at our school, but it is for life.

With the support of our families and the wider community, our children show they are truly Good Samaritans and this can clearly be demonstrated in the way they conduct themselves in school, through some of the activities the children are engaged in outside of school and how they think of others by supporting charity events, both locally and nationally.

Ethos Statement

The Governors of St Mary’s Church of England First School with support from the staff and parents have developed the following statement on which to base all practice in the school. The teaching found in the Bible forms the basis of our Christian belief in accordance with the principles of the Church at Parish and Diocesan level. 

If God is everywhere, and only has to be looked for, then we must help the children to look.

If God lives wherever man will let Him in, then we must help them to find Him, and, if they wish, let Him in.

At St Mary's, we aim to provide:

  • An education of the highest quality within the context of these Christian beliefs and practice, developing a positive attitude to life-long learning.  
  • A stimulating, encouraging, safe environment for children and staff.
  • To meet these aims we are looking to enable our children to:-
  • Show love, care and respect for themselves, others and all God’s creation
  • Develop good relationships with others, learning to work co-operatively together, offering praise when deserved and support when needed.
  • Show respect for those who have different ideas, beliefs and traditions
  • Be open and honest in their life, giving and gaining trust
  • Develop an understanding of both their own strengths and their areas for development whilst being aware of their own and other’s health and well being.
  • Learn how to be patient and persevere when life presents them with a challenge
  • To strive to attain their dreams and ambitions, showing courage and fortitude.

And above all to do this with a positive and happy attitude,

in the Joy of the Lord.

RE and Worship

As an Aided Church School we have close links with the local Parish Church. We hold some of our Worship times in St. Mary's Church in Uttoxeter town centre.  A daily act of worship is held in school with a Christian focus. We use the Diocesan RE syllabus which informs children of other religious beliefs and practices in addition to Christianity. We aim to encourage children to:

  • become aware of their own spirituality and awareness of God and be able to express and explain their own beliefs.
  • support the development of a social and moral code of behaviour in the context of the Christian faith through consistent application of learning.