Our Christian Distinctiveness
Rooted in Faith, Growing Together
At Winmarleigh Church of England Primary School, our Christian character is at the heart of who we are. It shapes the way we learn, worship, care for one another and grow together.
Inspired by Jesus' words:
“I came that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10
we want every child to be known, valued and encouraged to flourish – academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.
Our Christian values are not simply words that we talk about. We want our children to understand what they mean and, most importantly, to live them out in the choices they make and the way they treat others.
Faith at the Heart of School Life
Our Christian distinctiveness can be seen and experienced throughout everyday life at Winmarleigh.
It is found in our Collective Worship, in prayer and reflection, in the questions our children ask, in our Religious Education and in the way we celebrate the Christian year.
It is also found in the way we welcome one another, show compassion, forgive, encourage, serve our community, care for God's world and have the courage to stand up for others.
We encourage our children to pause, notice, wonder, question and reflect, giving them opportunities to explore faith, spirituality and life's big questions.
Our Church – St Luke's, Winmarleigh
We are proud of our special relationship with St Luke's Church, Winmarleigh.
Our church is an important part of the life and identity of our school and provides a special place for our children to worship, pray, reflect and celebrate together.
Through our relationship with St Luke's and our links with the Diocese of Blackburn, children experience what it means to belong to a wider Christian family and develop their understanding of Christian faith, traditions and celebrations.
We want our children to be participants, not simply observers, with opportunities to contribute to worship through prayer, readings, music and reflection.
Religious Education
Religious Education has an important place within our curriculum.
We follow Questful RE, developed by the Blackburn Diocesan Board of Education. Children develop their understanding of Christianity alongside learning about other religions and worldviews.
RE gives our children opportunities to ask big questions, think deeply, explore different perspectives and reflect on their own ideas and beliefs, while developing respect and understanding for the beliefs and experiences of others.
Living Out Our Faith
Jesus taught us to:
“Love your neighbour as yourself.”
Mark 12:31
We want our children to understand that faith and Christian values are not simply things we learn about – they are things we put into action.
Through caring for others, serving our community, looking after God's world and becoming courageous advocates, our children learn that their voices and actions matter.
Our existing courageous advocacy work reflects this commitment, encouraging children to champion causes that are meaningful to them and helping them develop courage, resilience, teamwork and an understanding of the wider world.
What Makes Winmarleigh Distinctively Christian?
Our Christian distinctiveness isn't defined by one lesson, one worship or one display.
It is woven through the life of our school.
It is in the welcome we give, the questions we ask, the prayers we share and the way we care for one another.
It is in our relationship with St Luke's Church.
It is in having the courage to make a difference.
And it is in our belief that every child should have the opportunity to flourish and experience life in all its fullness.
