Our Vision

 

Our vision and associated values are theologically centred on the Bible narrative ‘I came that they may have life and live it to the full’ John 10.10

 

The story of the Good Shepherd and his sheep represents our school.  In the story, Jesus assures his followers that they are his sheep, he will lay down his life for them, he will guide, protect and keep his sheep safe. He shows how he knows each and every one of his precious flock.

  • Jesus showed how he kept his flock safe from harm. We keep safe and nurture all members of our school family to be the best version of themselves so that they thrive, flourish and blossom, as a result of good mental health and wellbeing in a fellowship of love with God.

  • Jesus dedicated himself to his flock, without exception. Everyone is welcome in our St Aidan's family, we are fully inclusive without compromise; we welcome all and strive continuously to meet individual needs, supported by excellent role models, who have high aspirations for all, driven by Gospel values.

  • ‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full’ John 10:10. Jesus wanted his sheep to live life to the full. At our school, each child will travel on their own learning journey pathway to achieve their full God given potential academically, socially, personally and spiritually. We have high expectations for all children and promote good mental health and wellbeing and positive relationships for all.

  • In this verse, Jesus says he has come ‘in order that you might have life- life in all its fullness’, it’s a reminder that it is possible for us to know a full life, in which we know the security of being in the hands of the good shepherd. People of faith will listen to him, because he is like the shepherd whose sheep know his voice. We believe that everyone in our school community deserves the very best, all are valued and all are loved.

The Bible verse from John 10:10 is particularly relevant to us as we seek to ensure that everyone in our community is able to thrive and flourish, whatever their need, ability or status. All members of our school family are deeply valued and cherished, and we believe that we achieve this by the clear ethos and values that underpin all we do, and all decisions made.

We instil the commitment that we will be loving and kind and care for each other, all members of the school family know that this is an expectation.  

Jesus said ‘I have come that you may have life in all its fullness’ (John 10:10). He calls us to a full life in mind, body, heart and spirit. Therefore we believe the purpose of education is to nurture and enable every child to thrive and to be the person they are fully capable of being.

Our curriculum for life in all its fullness is designed to equip children to be curious and confident independent learners but also responsible, resilient and caring citizens in their community. As they leave St Aidan's, we want every child to be ready to take on the next steps in their journey to adulthood with a love of learning, positive attitudes and a rounded set of values and skills to guide them.

We recognise that the curriculum encompasses everything children experience at school. Whilst our curriculum will promote high standards and accelerate academic progress, it is also about uncovering and nurturing the God given talents within each child, developing core values and virtues, growth mindsets and essential skills for life. Learning is closely linked to our emotions, we learn best when we feel safe and happy, so at St Aidan's our curriculum is also about promoting happiness and fun! This enables every child to 'achieve great things through learning and growing together in a love-filled Christian family'.

 

Our Vision is for a school family who:

  • Wish to learn in a fun, vibrant and creative Christian environment

  • Follow the example of Jesus

  • Have high expectations and are ambitious to develop their God-given talents, achieving great things, spiritually, personally, academically and socially

  • Have initiative and take responsibility for their choices and their actions

  • Are respectful, thoughtful and sensitive

  • Are happy, successful and confident

  • Love to learn every day and show resilience in their learning

 

Our Values 

Acceptance: At St. Aidan’s we embrace individuals from all backgrounds, beliefs and walks of life, fostering an inclusive and welcoming community.

Love: We embrace compassion, kindness, and acceptance towards others, following the teachings of Jesus to love one another.

Wisdom: We seek  help and guidance from God to help us to make wise choices.

Accountability: We take responsibility for our actions and behaviours. 

Youthfulness in Faith: We are all vibrant, enthusiastic learners. We aim to stay open-minded, curious, and ask the ‘big’ questions  to ‘...grow in God’ and His teachings, as well as actively participating in the life and activities of our Church community, St. Aidan’s Ambassadors and our Mini Police. 

Service: We recognise our talents as gifts from God and that our talents should be used to serve others as Saint Aidan did before us to fulfil our potential and for the benefit of others. 

Take a look back at the special day when the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, visited our school for his Lord's Prayer Tour! Witness how our pupils impressed him with their thoughtful engagement and wonderful singing, truly 'Fulfilling our potential and growing in God.'

Blackburn Diocesan Board of Education Diocese of Blackburn

#ArchbishopOfYork #StephenCottrell #LordsPrayerTour #FaithInTheNorth #BlackburnDiocese #SchoolVisit #ChristianEducation #TheStAidansWay

Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural (SMSC) development is integrated across our curriculum.

Evidence suggests that SMSC development is closely linked to higher academic standards and improved life chances for students.

The Department for Education stipulates that schools must:

  • Promote the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural (SMSC) development of their pupils. This means fostering personal growth, understanding of values, respect for others, and appreciation for different cultures.
  • Ensure that pupils are taught about fundamental British values. These include democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance.
  • Provide a safe and inclusive learning environment. This involves creating a supportive atmosphere where all pupils feel valued and respected.  
  • Prepare pupils for life in modern Britain. This means equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to be successful and responsible citizens.
  • Work in partnership with parents and carers. This involves building strong relationships and collaborating on the education and well-being of pupils.

SMSC development is a cornerstone of our educational approach at St. Aidan's, seamlessly integrated into every aspect of our curriculum and school life. It's not a standalone subject but an integral part of our holistic approach to education, fostering personal growth, character development, and academic achievement. We intentionally plan for SMSC development through dedicated lessons in Worship, RE, and PSHE, as well as by linking it to characters and situations in our class reads and English books. Additionally, SMSC naturally emerges through our school communities engagement with current events and local happenings, providing authentic opportunities for reflection and growth.

Nurturing the spiritual, moral, cultural, and social development of our children and staff is essential for creating a thriving and inclusive learning environment. By fostering these aspects of personal growth, we empower individuals to develop a strong sense of self, empathy, and responsibility, leading to greater academic achievement, positive relationships, and a lifelong commitment to learning and growth.

 

Why are British values essential for understanding SMSC development?

SMSC development and British values are closely intertwined. Schools can demonstrate their commitment to British values by fostering SMSC development through collective worship, a positive school culture, strong relationships, and engaging activities. Pupils must be taught to appreciate and respect people of all backgrounds.

It is expected that pupils should understand that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/promoting-fundamental-british-values-through-smsc

What are the five British Values taught in schools?

  • Democracy
  • The rule of law
  • Individual liberty
  • Mutual respect
  • Tolerance of different cultures and religions

British values are woven into the ethos of St. Aidan's, connecting to our high positive behaviour expectations and pupil voice. We explore them in themed worship, RE, PSHE, and informal discussions, linking them to current events and our school's vision.