Wath CE Primary Theological Rationale

 

Summary of the theological rationale of Wath CE Primary School

• children will aim higher, shine brighter and live life in all its fullness

• we seek the renewing of the mind, a reflective growth mindset

• challenges are approached in a spirit of hope

• children are taught to make wise choices

•  love, care and compassion guide the relationships in our community

 

 

Commentary

 

Aim Higher, Shine Brighter

Wath CE calls on its children to “Aim higher, shine brighter”. This expression of how to live  ‘life in all its fullness’ (John10:10) reflects a commitment to the ongoing growth and change of individuals, expressed in 1 John: Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed (1 John 3:2a). Through its emphasis on appropriate learning steps and challenge the school promotes joy, the experience of being joyful in learning, sometimes described as ‘flow’. The school recognises that ‘Joy in learning is a mark of the good teacher and the well-taught pupil’ (Church of England Vision for Education, p.12)

For Wath school, learning is an unfolding of who the child is. The school sees learning as the flourishing of each individual, and who they were created to be: ‘There is confidence that the pursuit of wisdom, knowledge and skills is consistent with how God has shaped the world and ourselves (Church of England Vision for Education, p.8)

 

Renewing the Mind

Children at Wath are guided to reflect on the learning process.  The school instils a growth mindset in its learners. In the letter to the Romans, Paul calls on his readers saying: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect” Romans 12:2). Children at Wath are taught positive attitudes and strategies towards the renewing of their minds, including an understanding of the place of  mistakes and other experiences on  the learning journey. The school celebrates ‘the magic of mistakes’.

 

Challenge met with Hope

Hope is expressed through the school’s approach to learning, embedded in its motivational approach. “There is hope in God and God’s wisdom, and in the possibilities of reconciliation and transformation. (Church of England Vision for Education, p.8). Wath emphasises the place of challenge. Through celebratory activities the school champions the positive benefits of good challenge. The school develops a ‘can do’ attitude, positively addressing the approach children can adopt if they become ‘stuck’ in their learning. The attitude is that of Galatians 6:9: “So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.” Through conscious consideration of how to handle the experience of being stuck and a promotion of attitudes and strategies that counter any sense of ‘giving up’, children are taught to believe “I can” and “I will find a way”

 

Wise Decisions

Wath nurtures children’s awareness of themselves as decision makers. It expresses something of the parable of the broad and narrow ways and the end result of choice (Matthew 7:13,14), and the school’s positive approach to behaviour encourages reflection on this principle. Through activities such as the learning ladder, children monitor the impact of their decisions. The Bible calls this wisdom, and the school evidences the positive and life affirming nature of wisdom and wise choices: Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding (Proverbs 13:3)  To get wisdom is to love oneself; to keep understanding is to prosper (Proverbs 19:8)

 

Love, care and compassion

Wath school shows love, care and compassion towards its children. This is evident in the relationships towards all children but also clear in the way the school shapes its resourcing to ensure the welfare of pupils. Through activities such as its offer of counselling support the school It captures the Church of England’s Vision that: ‘The God of wisdom, love, compassion and peace, in whose image we are created, is utterly relational. Hence the essential importance to human worth of fellow human beings’ (Church of England Vision for Education, p.8)