Chatburn Church of England
Primary School
"Those who are planted in the house of The Lord shall flourish." Psalm 92
Christ Church & Chatburn Church of England Primary School
Chatburn : Proud and privileged to be a Church school
Welcome to Chatburn Church of England Primary School, a cherished member of the Church of England family within the Diocese of Blackburn.
As a beacon of faith, learning, and community, the school is committed to providing a transformative and holistic educational experience. The Church of England's involvement in education dates back to 1811 when Joshua Watson established it as a gift to the nation.
This historical commitment to education has been upheld through the years, with notable figures like Bishop Herbert in the Diocese of Blackburn playing a crucial role in preserving church schools. Bishop Herbert's efforts were instrumental in safeguarding the educational institutions within the diocese.
Moreover, the legal requirement for these schools to teach according to the tenets of the Christian faith and to provide Christian worship is often derived from Trust Deeds, where trustees, commonly comprising members of the Board of Education or local vicars and Churchwardens, oversee their governance and operations.
Being a part of the Church school family at Chatburn means joining a community that cherishes each individual as a unique creation, fostering a sense of belonging rooted in Christian principles.
Our school proudly embraces the rich heritage and traditions of the Church of England, creating an inclusive and nurturing environment where students, staff, and families thrive together.
What distinguishes a Church school is the unique ethos woven into every facet of our educational journey. Guided by a shared commitment to the values of love, compassion, and respect, we exemplify the teachings of Christ in our daily lives.
At Chatburn, we aspire to inspire children and young people, nurturing their spiritual, moral, and intellectual growth.
The Church of England school’s respects and acknowledge other faiths too, encouraging dialogue and we will discuss in assemblies other faith celebrations such as Eid and Hannukah, during designated times.
Worship
Central to our ethos is the practice of worship, a cornerstone of our daily routine.
Our worship sessions reflect the Christian character of our school, drawing inspiration primarily from the Bible and teachings predominantly derive from the Christian tradition.
Through worship, we aim to nurture a deep sense of spiritual connection and understanding among our students, guiding them on a journey of faith and reflection.
Religious Education
In line with our dedication to holistic education, RE plays a pivotal role in shaping our students' understanding of faith and spirituality.
Our curriculum, Questful, is rooted in Christian values while also incorporating teachings from other world faiths.
Through Questful, students engage in meaningful discussions and explorations of religious principles, fostering an appreciation for diversity and inclusivity.
Our approach to RE reflects our belief in the importance of understanding and respecting different beliefs and cultures, cultivating open-mindedness and empathy among our students.
Leadership
Leadership at Chatburn is deeply intertwined with our Christian ethos.
When we appoint the Headteacher, we require a faith reference for the job, we prioritise individuals who embody the values and principles that underpin our school community.
Our Governors, predominantly Foundation Governors, play a crucial role in upholding the Christian foundation of our school.
These dedicated individuals champion our mission and vision, ensuring that the Christian ethos remains at the heart of all our endeavours. Their unwavering commitment to fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment ensures that our school continues to thrive as a beacon of faith, learning, and community.
In Voluntary Aided schools the number of foundation governors on the governing board is majority of two and in Voluntary Controlled schools there must be clear foundation representation.
Meetings of governors will commit to prayer for the school community and business.
Aligned with the Church of England's vision for education, our schools seek to provide an outstanding educational experience that empowers students to flourish and make positive contributions to society.
We believe in the transformative power of education that not only imparts knowledge but also instils character, resilience, and a sense of purpose.
The Diocese of Blackburn's vision, echoing the broader Church of England vision, places a special emphasis on inspiring children and young people. Our commitment is to provide an educational experience that transcends academic achievement to encompass spiritual and personal development.
SPIRITUALITY CROSS OUR CURRICULUM
Spirituality is a core component to ‘living life in all its fullness’ as the mind, body and soul needs to be nurtured equally. It relates to fundamental questions about the meaning and purpose of life which affect everyone and is not dependant on a religious belief.
It is also based on the search for ways to answer questions about life and a search for identity.
At Chatburn, how do we develop spirituality across different areas of our curriculum?
PE
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| Computing By wondering at the power of the digital age e.g. use of the internet and social media. By understanding the advantages and limitations of ICT. By using the internet as a gateway to big life issues. |
| Drama & Music By allowing for insight, self-expression and the chance to walk in someone else’s shoes By enjoying and celebrating personal creativity. By reviewing and evaluating created things. By allowing pupils to show their delight and curiosity in creating their own sounds. By making links between their learning in literacy (or other curriculum area) with music being played as background. By considering how music makes one feel and can ‘move us’ deeply. |
| Art & Design By providing plenty of rich opportunities for pupils to explore both the spiritual dimension and natural phenomena e.g Northern Lights By exploring different artists’ interpretations of a key figure or event and asking what the artist was trying to convey. By allowing pupils to show what they know through their own expression of big ideas about life e.g. morality; ethical issues. By promoting the process of ‘reviewing and evaluating’ |
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PSHE/RSE |
| RE By experiencing wonder and joy through learning about and from stories, celebrations, rituals and different expressions of religion and worldviews. By asking and responding to questions of meaning and purpose. By considering questions about God and evaluating truth claims. |
| Geography By using maps and asking pupils to imagine what it might be like to live in different parts of the world. By making links with history when exploring the environment and speculating on why the landscape is as it is. By comparing their lives with pupils living in other countries or other parts of the UK, possibly through a schools linking programme |
| History By considering how things would be different if the course of events had been different. By looking at local history and investigating the reasons why there is a landmark, building or museum. By speculating about how we mark important events from history and the people who shaped them |
| MFL By exploring the beauty of languages from around the world. By exploring the way language is constructed. |
| Science By demonstrating openness to the fact that some answers cannot be provided by Science. By creating opportunities for pupils to ask questions about how living things rely on and contribute to their environment. |
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English |
| Maths By making connections between pupils’ numeracy skills and real life; for example, pie charts could compare how a child in Africa spends their day with how children in the UK spend their time. By considering pattern, order, symmetry and scale both man made and in the natural world. By appreciating the beauty of shape and space |
Choosing Chatburn Church of England Primary School means choosing an educational community where faith and learning coexist harmoniously. It means embracing a vision that prioritises the well-being of every individual and instils a lifelong love for learning and service to others. We invite you to embark on this enriching journey with us, where education is a transformative force, and each student is recognized as a cherished member of our Church school family.