Vision & Values
Our Vision
Our vision is life in all its fullness; for all our children, their families and the whole staff team. This Christian vision is at the heart of everything we do and it inspires us to focus on what is most important - preparing all children to flourish both now and later in life.
We get to know our children as individuals; we are a small, nurturing, family school; we are committed to seeing children develop their own passions and interests, to leave school ready for their next chapter. That they would flourish, and be people who help others to flourish too.
Our vision - ‘Life in all its fullness’ - captures the unique essence of St John’s.
As a church school, we are committed to a Christian education. The phrase ‘life in all its fullness’ is taken from the Bible. In John 10 v 10, Jesus says that he has come that we may have life in all its fullness. Taken from both the Bible and the Church of England’s Vision for Education, we are seeking to be a school community rooted in Christian principles, growing in the fruit of the Spirit and living by our school values in every decision and interaction.
This vision is infused within all we do, in: the way we prioritise and have a culture of supporting good mental health and wellbeing; the way we manage children when they present with challenging behaviour; the way we negotiate necessary change and act with integrity even when it seems inconvenient. Our vision, underpinned by our school values, are who we are in every moment of every day.
St John’s is committed to supporting its children, staff and families to realise this vision in their lives.
A brief theology of our vision and values - how they are inspired by and linked to the Christian faith - can be viewed here.
An alternative narrative to the historical underpinning of our school can be found on our school history page here.
We want to support every child to live life in all its fullness.
To excel academically so that nothing holds them back
To find out what they love doing and develop new passions and interests
To learn about the world around them, including the rich diversity of cultures and beliefs as well as environmental and social issues
To become responsible, reflective future citizens who look to make a difference
That is life in all its fullness - that our children would flourish, and that they would be people who help others to flourish too.
Whilst our vision is for everyone, some children are especially vulnerable and both deserve and warrant an extra portion of our energy and attention. There are two main pupil groups for whom we especially prioritise our support - children with special educational needs or disabilities and children who are in receipt of pupil premium grant funding.
We get to know every child as an individual and do all we can to provide support to every child, including for example, children who are new to the country and children who have been bereaved. Please click on the hyperlinked pupil groups above for more information about how we enable the most vulnerable children in our care to flourish.
Our Values
Since their introduction three years ago, our school values have become the very fabric of our school's DNA - guiding and shaping our decision making, giving language to our interactions and priorities at all levels - from governance and senior leadership decisions, to what we look for when celebrating 'stars of the week' in our celebration assemblies.
Decided by our school community, the following five values were chosen to best represent how we realise our vision as as school. Please click on each to learn more about what they mean to us.
CREATIVITY
What this looks like at St John's: Creative problem solving and thinking in leadership, passion for the arts, the crux of learning and fundamental to overcoming challenges in later life.
What the Bible says: ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.’ Genesis 1:1
GROWTH
What this looks like at St John's: Our children (and our staff!) should be constantly learning, growing and developing who they are and what they can do. Academically being stretched and challenged whilst becoming more socially aware of themselves and the wider world.
What the Bible says: "If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit." John 15:5
INTEGRITY
What this looks like at St John's: Standing up for what is right; doing the right thing even when no-one is looking; developing core beliefs that our community will stand by no matter what external pressures we may face.
What the Bible says: ‘Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.’ Philippians 4:8
JOY
What this looks like at St John's: We want to be a people filled with joy. We must ensure staff have work life balance. Our children must be safe and protected and should learn that no challenge is too big or too overwhelming. They should experience awe and wonder and be able to learn to appreciate the richness of the world around them.
What the Bible says: "I have come that you may have life, life in all its fullness." John 10:10
KINDNESS
What this looks like at St John's: Underpins our every interaction and decision, in our play and our sharing of resources, in our speaking to and about people. To see our Y6s leave us as kind people would be a point of great pride.
What the Bible says: "Do to others as you would have them do to you." Luke 6:31