Our Church
What does it mean to be a church school?
Perhaps we should begin by explaining what we are not! Being a church school does not mean that we presume that all are children and their families are practising Christians and it does not mean that we try to convert them. We welcome children of all faiths and none.
The ethos of our school is based on distinctively Christian values and we offer our children an experience of faith through collective worship and links with our parish church and other churches in our locality. Religious Education in our school will always include teaching about other faiths with respect and without discrimination or judgement. The Christian values of Respect, Compassion, Hope, Love, Courage, Justice, Wisdom, Generosity, Creativity and Kindness are woven into everything we do like a golden thread.
What is added by being a Church of England school?
Church schools have Christian beliefs and values at their heart. This means that every child and adult associated with the school is not just important because they are members of the school but also because they are seen as unique individuals within God’s creation. Everyone is seen as incredibly valuable in God’s eyes, so everyone is supported and encouraged to be the very best they can be.
Church schools recognise that as well as academic and emotional intelligence human beings also have spiritual intelligence. At Scorton CE Primary School spiritual aspects of life are recognised, and nurtured alongside the academic and emotional needs of our school family. Church of England schools are places where questioning of belief and non-belief is encouraged as we all try to make sense of the world, the gift of life and the purpose of our own personal lives. Although we live in an increasingly secular society, the values of our country have their roots in the Christian faith. Church schools continue to celebrate this as an aspect of the heritage which enables them to be successful places of learning for children of all faiths and none.
What differences should you notice?
As a pupil, parent, visitor or member of our staff, we want you to feel that the way in which our school works is different and distinctive. That distinctive difference, is rooted in Christian values that affect the way everyone behaves, and in the way everyone is respected. Around the school, there are signs and symbols which reflect the Christian heritage on which the school is built. There are areas for reflection which contain school prayers and prayers that the children have created themselves. There is also a much greater emphasis on links with our local parish church, St. Peter’s. In this way, we encourage an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith and promote Christian values through the experience that we offer all pupils.
Our Church School Family
St. Peter's Church is an important part of our school family and we work very closely together.
The church is in a period of interregnum at the moment as the Diocese appoint a new incumbent to the United Parish of Barnacre, Scorton and Calder Vale. This has provided us with a lovely opportunity to get to know members of the St. Peter's community better and to forge links with other local churches. We are very lucky to know Jo Selwood-Taylor, St. Peter's Church Warden and Lay Preacher. Jo, leads our school worship club and is a regular visitor to school. Jo runs regular community nights and events for our children and their families to get involved with, together with the wider church and village community.
We are also very grateful to Rev. Michael Hutchinson, the vicar from St. Thomas's Church in Garstang, who joins us every Monday to lead worship.
