Our Vision, Christian Values and the British Values

Our Vision

St. Matthew’s, as a ‘gift of God’, aims to serve the community and the common good by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian beliefs and practice.  We offer strong leadership with an approach which provides a broad and balanced curriculum that fosters all elements of children’s growth as learners.  This is supported by a clear vision, an embedded set of Christian values and a strong Christian character where children are encouraged to foster the St  Christopher's Trust  values of respect, understanding, compassion, tolerance and forgiveness as they learn to broaden their horizons and to achieve their all-round potential within an aspirational setting.   

 

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  

[Matthew 5: 14-16]

' Let your light shine!'

 

Our mission

is to work to support and ensure all pupils and staff flourish and excel in their aspirations.  We value and welcome all God's children to our St Matthew's family.

 

 

St Matthew’s C of E Primary and Nursery Academy will put the children at the very heart of what we do.

In the course of their daily work the staff will contribute to the development of our school ethos , ' Let your light shine!' by: 

 

• Providing an effective learning environment at all times, in which each child is encouraged to have high aspirations, take learning risks and make ‘new’ mistakes.
• Providing a welcoming, nurturing environment, in which courtesy, kindness and mutual respect are fostered and modelled by adults and children alike.
• Promoting the language of learning and encouraging children to see themselves as confident, successful learners

 

 

Our Christian Values

Our Christian Values have been chosen by staff, governors , pupil and parents.

We have chosen Love, Forgiveness, Courage, Hope, Trust and Spirit.

Together they help us to remember to

' Let your light shine!'

Love

forgIveness

couraGe

Hope

Trust

Spirit

 

 

Our Christian Values are all based on biblical scripture, the linked verses are as follows:

Love: Mark 12:31

31 The second commandment is this ‘Love your neighbour as yourself. ’There is no commandment greater than these.”

Forgiveness: Matthew 6:14

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,

Courage: Joshua 1:9

9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Hope: Jeremiah 29:11

11.  For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Trust: Psalm 20:7

7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

Spirit: Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

 

Each week, along with a 'learning' star, each class will also nominate a 'values' star - someone who their peers believe does typifies one or more of the school values.

 

Promoting British Values at St Matthew's

We are part of a British society, and it is important to us that children learn the universal principles of:

• Self-help
• Self-responsibility
• Democracy
• Equality
• Equity
• Solidarity
• Openness
• Honesty
• Social responsibility
• Caring for others

 

We will achieve these values, for all staff and pupils, by:

• Creating an open, inclusive ethos where children  and adults can be themselves, develop courtesy, respect and tolerance for others.
• Promoting mental health and wellbeing through our curriculum as well as using in house and external agency support.
• Promoting equality of opportunity outlined in our policies
• Having a clear code of conduct, where children  are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions
• Encouraging collaboration as one of our core learning values
• Supporting and promoting leadership skills and responsibilities within the school
• Taking an active interest in our  service and more vulnerable  families

 

Our broad and balanced Curriculum will promote these values by providing opportunities:

• to  celebrate diversity, different festivals and key celebrations in  the year
• to learn about our nation and its heritage, for example Remembrance  service
• to learn about Key British leaders, explorers and inventors
• to use of our local area
• that encourage a  sense of community responsibility eg;  the local Church,  police and fire services etc.
• to learn about cultures and faiths; how are we different from one another, and how are we the same?
• to understand Plymouth as part of a global community; learning about and communicating with children from across the world

The provision of Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education (SMSC), St Matthew’s Academy will:

• enable our children to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence;
• enable our children to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England;
• encourage our children to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of our Academy and to society more widely;
• enable our children to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England;
• further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling our children to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures;
• encourage respect for other people; 
• encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England.