Christian Distinctiveness
"Teach a child in the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not depart from it" Proverbs 22:6
What makes our church school special?
Courageous advocacy
We challenge our children to engage in helping others less fortunate than themselves, widening their outlook and helping them to consider the impact they have on their community and the wider world, giving them a sense of empowerment and moral purpose.
Collective Worship
We are inclusive, invitational and inspiring. Our collective worship is a central part of the school day for both children and staff. We recognise that not everyone in our community chooses to worship God but it is an opportunity for us to gather together to be still, to consider spiritual and moral issues and to explore our own beliefs. The children take active participation through child led worship, leading in prayer, singing and supporting worship. Our worship has a distinctively Christian theme and we develop this theme across the term with the children.
We explore 6 Christian themes throughout the year: Generosity, Compassion, Perseverance, Forgiveness, Friendship and Respect.
During celebration worship, each Friday, we ensure the achievements of the children are celebrated. We recognise those children who go above and beyond in their learning and those who exemplify our Christian values.
To mark special times in the Christian calendar, the children take part in celebration services at St Cyriac’s church such as Harvest, Christingle, Carol Services, an Easter celebration service and the Leavers service. The children take an active part in these services and Rev. Si leads and supports in these celebrations.
At Lacock school, we have a values board, prayer leaders, a thinking area, a worship table and we encourage outside groups, clergy and visitors to lead collective worship where possible.
Prayer
“I have come that you may have life – life in all its fullness” John 10:10
Children at Lacock School are taught that prayer is a vital part of a Christian’s relationship with God. Assemblies include opportunities for children to pray or sit in silence and reflect. Prayer is a central part of our Christian distinctiveness at school. Children are taught about what prayer is and given opportunities each day to engage in collective prayer, reflection and silent prayer or their own personal prayer if they choose to.
As a church school all children say Grace before lunch and start and finish the day with a prayer.
Our collective worship encourages children to develop an understanding of their own spirituality in relation to themselves, others, the natural and God-given world and to ponder things which are beyond understanding.
Our School Prayer:
Lord Bless our school,
That by working together and playing together,
We may serve you and serve one another,
Amen
Spirituality & Reflection
Children’s spiritual development is key at Lacock School. We want children to develop a clear sense of themselves, others and the beyond by the time they leave our school. At Lacock School we give children and adults the opportunity to articulate and explore their spiritual development to enable them to flourish. We encourage children to become independent thinkers through modelling an environment of inclusion and respect.
What is spirituality?
We often carry some misconceptions where spirituality is associated with religion and cannot be separated. Spirituality concerns a person’s relationship with themselves, others, with God, with nature and the environment. These four elements: self; others; beyond and beauty in the world form the basis of our work with children in developing their strong sense of spirituality.
It is also vital that all the adults in school see the need to develop their own spirituality for their own well-being, so that they can effectively support and help our children and each other.
Who am I? Where do I fit in? Why am I here?
Self
· Awareness of feelings; ability to reflect and express
· Awareness of our uniqueness; happiness with who we are
· Gratitude for the things we have and the person we are
· Exploration of personal faith
· Development of imagination and creativity
Others
· Empathy and understanding; respect, tolerance
· To love and be loved.
· Making a difference; duty
Beyond
· Encountering/experiencing God (having a sense of what lies beyond the material/physical)
· Ability to formulate and discuss the ‘Big Questions’ (e.g. about life, death, suffering, nature of God)
· Opportunities for prayer, connecting with God
Beauty and the world
· Wonder and beauty
· Developing a sense of awe and wonder
· Enjoying the miracles of everyday life
· Taking time for what really matters
· Appreciating beauty in art, music, nature
Links with the Diocese
We are part of Bristol Diocese and work hard to maintain our links with them.
They provide us with bespoke support in the development of our Christian distinctiveness as well as the opportunity for all staff to engage in a variety of training.
What makes our church school special?
Courageous advocacy
We challenge our children to engage in helping others less fortunate than themselves, widening their outlook and helping them to consider the impact they have on their community and the wider world, giving them a sense of empowerment and moral purpose.
Collective Worship
We are inclusive, invitational and inspiring. Our collective worship is a central part of the school day for both children and staff. We recognise that not everyone in our community chooses to worship God but it is an opportunity for us to gather together to be still, to consider spiritual and moral issues and to explore our own beliefs. The children take active participation through child led worship, leading in prayer, singing and supporting worship. Our worship has a distinctively Christian theme and we develop this theme across the term with the children.
We explore 6 Christian themes throughout the year: Generosity, Compassion, Perseverance, Forgiveness, Friendship and Respect.
During celebration worship, each Friday, we ensure the achievements of the children are celebrated. We recognise those children who go above and beyond in their learning and those who exemplify our Christian values.
To mark special times in the Christian calendar, the children take part in celebration services at St Cyriac’s church such as Harvest, Christingle, Carol Services, an Easter celebration service and the Leavers service. The children take an active part in these services and Rev. Si leads and supports in these celebrations.
At Lacock school, we have a values board, prayer leaders, a thinking area, a worship table and we encourage outside groups, clergy and visitors to lead collective worship where possible.
Prayer
“I have come that you may have life – life in all its fullness” John 10:10
Children at Lacock School are taught that prayer is a vital part of a Christian’s relationship with God. Assemblies include opportunities for children to pray or sit in silence and reflect. Prayer is a central part of our Christian distinctiveness at school. Children are taught about what prayer is and given opportunities each day to engage in collective prayer, reflection and silent prayer or their own personal prayer if they choose to.
As a church school all children say Grace before lunch and start and finish the day with a prayer.
Our collective worship encourages children to develop an understanding of their own spirituality in relation to themselves, others, the natural and God-given world and to ponder things which are beyond understanding.
Our School Prayer:
Lord Bless our school,
That by working together and playing together,
We may serve you and serve one another,
Amen
Spirituality & Reflection
Children’s spiritual development is key at Lacock School. We want children to develop a clear sense of themselves, others and the beyond by the time they leave our school. At Lacock School we give children and adults the opportunity to articulate and explore their spiritual development to enable them to flourish. We encourage children to become independent thinkers through modelling an environment of inclusion and respect.
What is spirituality?
We often carry some misconceptions where spirituality is associated with religion and cannot be separated. Spirituality concerns a person’s relationship with themselves, others, with God, with nature and the environment. These four elements: self; others; beyond and beauty in the world form the basis of our work with children in developing their strong sense of spirituality.
It is also vital that all the adults in school see the need to develop their own spirituality for their own well-being, so that they can effectively support and help our children and each other.
Who am I? Where do I fit in? Why am I here?
Self
· Awareness of feelings; ability to reflect and express
· Awareness of our uniqueness; happiness with who we are
· Gratitude for the things we have and the person we are
· Exploration of personal faith
· Development of imagination and creativity
Others
· Empathy and understanding; respect, tolerance
· To love and be loved.
· Making a difference; duty
Beyond
· Encountering/experiencing God (having a sense of what lies beyond the material/physical)
· Ability to formulate and discuss the ‘Big Questions’ (e.g. about life, death, suffering, nature of God)
· Opportunities for prayer, connecting with God
Beauty and the world
· Wonder and beauty
· Developing a sense of awe and wonder
· Enjoying the miracles of everyday life
· Taking time for what really matters
· Appreciating beauty in art, music, nature
Links with the Diocese
We are part of Bristol Diocese and work hard to maintain our links with them.
They provide us with bespoke support in the development of our Christian distinctiveness as well as the opportunity for all staff to engage in a variety of training.