Our Christian Distinctiveness

Our school has a distinctively Christian character and ethos which is central to our school vision statement. 

Our vision is to ensure that children of all faiths and none can be the best that they can be, in an environment where everyone is valued, respected and challenged. In our school, individuals are supported in their personal journey of learning, growth and development, within an ethos of nurture, encouragement and love.

At the Duchy of Lancaster CE Primary School, we have a clear belief that learning will equip our children for their future. We aim to do this through the three strands of: enabling all to flourish, we are stronger together than apart, growing and learning together in partnership. Every child is valued, supported and challenged to achieve their very best outcomes within and outside of the curriculum. In a village school environment, staff get to know the children well, developing positive relationships in an enabling environment.

Our school vision is based around the Christian belief that, ‘A cord of three strands is not easily broken’ Ecclesiastes 4:12. The Bible tells us that “though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Christian distinctiveness is explicit and implicit throughout Duchy school life, relationships and the curriculum. All members of the school community experience Christianity through the life of the school, as well as through the taught curriculum.

Our understanding of the unique worth of every member of our school family, our local community in Methwold, and God's world, is central to all that we do at Duchy CE Primary. It effects how we treat our children, our broad curriculum offer, our charitable works, and our commitment to developing our pupil, family and staff voice. We want every member of our school community to know that every person is made in the image of God: every person is valued and every voice counts. 

The content of our school curriculum has also been carefully chosen to ensure that it reflects our values of Ready, Respectful and Safe. There is, for example, an emphasis on water safety and self-rescue in our swimming lessons in year 6 as we live so close to a river to keep our pupils safe. During RE and PSHE children learn about different cultures, religions and types of families to enable them to show respect to all god’s people and show respect for different views and interpretations.

Our Collective Worship draws on Christian teachings and beliefs whilst being mindful of children’s wider beliefs and non-beliefs. Worship is inclusive and delivered in a way that enables all members of the school community to feel able to be part of the experience, and all staff and children attend. Collective Worship begins with the lighting of a candle and a blessing read by a pupil. Worship has a time of reflection, prayer and during singing assemblies - songs. Year 6 pupils set up collective worship and lead in ensuring all other pupils are involved. 

Spiritual development is the development of an awareness that there is something more to life than meets the eye, something more than the material, something more than the obvious, something to wonder at, something to respond to.

The Christian values at Duchy allow children to become more self-aware of their own spirituality. The children are asking more fundamental questions about the purpose of life. This is through opportunities within the curriculum but also worry/ talk jars in the classroom. Spiritual development is difficult for leaders to measure, but seeing children stand for a viewpoint in English and PSHE, talk about the beauty of a new day, take time to reflect in CW, forgive themselves and each other and be generous strongly suggests that spiritual development is having the intended impact. Ofsted also reported that ‘Leaders’ work to support pupils’ personal development is a strength.’

Each CW allows All the opportunity to reflect on their own spirituality through questions that prompt deep thinking and reflection. Different role-plays, videos and stories also aim to develop spirituality. Our safe so everybody can learn also supports children in asking questions relating to spirituality without fear of judgement from others. This allows children the opportunity to reflect on the experiences within CW. Without this reflection, a feeling will remain just a feeling. 

RE at Duchy is reflective, creative and thoughtful. Pupils make a well-informed response to Christianity and respect those of all faiths (and none) in their search for God.

We follow the Emmanuel Project curriculum. Christianity is the majority study in RE and this draws on the richness and diversity of Christian experience in the breadth of its Anglican and other denominational forms, and in the variety of worldwide forms.