Our Church School
Christian Vision and Values
Our vision for our Christian community at Crowhurst Church of England Primary School is that our pupils feel nurtured and empowered to reach their full potential through high quality, inspirational learning experiences and are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to achieve in their next stages of learning.
We try in the daily life of our school to live out the teaching of Jesus to 'love our neighbour as ourselves' (Matthew 22:39) and this forms the basis of our School Vision. In our Church school community everyone is deeply valued, nurtured and enabled to flourish as we live, learn and love God.
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Kindness |
In the Bible, the importance of kindness is taught as a selfless reflection of God’s own character, most clearly demonstrated through Jesus’ command to "love your neighbour as yourself" and the principle that small acts of compassion towards others are, in spirit, acts of service to God. |
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Respect |
The Bible teaches that respect is rooted in the belief that every person is created in the "image of God," making each individual infinitely valuable and deserving of dignity, as we are called to "honour everyone" and value others above ourselves. |
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Honesty |
The Bible teaches that honesty is more than just telling the truth; it is a commitment to living a life of light and transparency, reflecting the "God of truth" through our words and actions to build a community founded on trust. |
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Integrity |
The Bible teaches that integrity is the practice of aligning our hearts and actions with what is right, even when no one is watching, serving as a reminder that we should live consistently in the "light" so that our character remains steadfast in all circumstances. |
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Perseverance |
Every challenge is an opportunity to grow in character and grow closer to God’s purpose for our lives.
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9) |
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Resilience |
The Bible teaches that resilience is the ability to "rise again" after a setback, drawing on God’s strength to find peace and courage in the face of struggle, knowing that our trials develop a spirit that can weather any storm.
"The righteous may fall seven times, but they rise again." (Proverbs 24:16) |
By embracing the call to 'love our neighbour as ourselves,' we set a high moral standard for our behaviour and our attitudes toward one another. We aspire to a selfless love that looks beyond ourselves, ensuring that compassion and care guide every interaction within our school community. This commitment is deeply rooted in the central commandment of Jesus, providing a foundation for how we live, learn, and grow together in faith.
Links with the Church
St George's Church is the parish church of the village of Crowhurst. We are very proud of the strong links between our school and the parish. This includes regular Church Collective Worships, where the children are highly involved in songs, stories, prayers and the liturgy. We also attend the church regularly for special events and celebrations, which reflect the Liturgical Calendar including Christmas, Easter and Harvest. Pupils sing, dance, read from the Bible, perform poetry and experience and communicate the essence of an occasion in many different ways. Parents are very welcome to join us at any of these services.
Our dedication to taking every opportunity to link our school with the parish has been taken. The previous Headteacher linked our school with the parish through the design of our school garden. This was redeveloped in 2009 with a St George and Dragon theme. We are extremely proud of the heritage of our school, which was set up in 1843, some 27 years prior to the introduction of compulsory education in the very first Education Act. We believe, being a Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) School allows us to create a Christian ethos that makes us distinctive but not exclusive.
To find out more about St George's Church please visit their website by clicking below:
As a Church of England school, we are subject to the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS). Our latest report is available below:
Collective Worship
At Crowhurst Church of England Primary School, Daily Collective Worship is the heartbeat of our community. It is a cherished time of day where we gather to reflect, connect, and grow spiritually. Our worship is designed to be inclusive, invitational, and inspirational, providing a safe and sacred space for every child—regardless of their background—to encounter faith, explore meaning, and deepen their understanding of themselves and the world around them.
Our Values in Action While we keep Jesus' central commandment to "love our neighbour as ourselves" (Mark 12:31) at the forefront of our daily lives, we also dedicate time each term to exploring our core Christian values: Kindness, Respect, Honesty, Integrity, Perseverance, and Resilience. These values are woven into the fabric of our worship, helping children to "Nurture, Empower, and Achieve" as they grow in character and faith.
Reflective and Global Thinking We plan our worship to spark deep, reflective discussion. We empower our children to:
- - Think critically about what is important to them and their own personal values.
- - Challenge injustice, ignorance, and intolerance with compassion.
- - Voice their opinions confidently on national and global events.
- - Engage with the wider world through the lens of empathy and insight.
Developing Global Citizens Our worship also explores British Values—including democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law—alongside the UN Rights of the Child. By linking these to our Christian ethos, we enable our pupils to develop as courageous advocates and global citizens who are fully prepared for the next stages of their journey, aware of their place in the world and their power to make it a better place.
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Monday – ‘Mission Monday: Setting the week’ |
Whole School: Focus on the Termly Christian value and an associated Bible story or teaching. Aim is to sets the spiritual tone for the week.
Nurture – We gather as a whole school family to plant the seeds of our value
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Tuesday – ‘Your Voice Matters’ |
Whole School: Focus on reflection singing, prayer writing, and shared reflection. Pupils choose songs or lead parts of the worship
Empower – We use our voices to reflect, discuss and share our opinions
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Wednesday – ‘Worship Wednesday” |
Smaller Group worship: Exploring how faith leads to action. Discussing ways to live out the Christian values. Using courageous advocates or historical figures to support our learning.
Achieve – We see how others have used these values to impart change (global or even a change of thought)
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Thursday – The Community Link: The Wider Family |
Whole School: Focus on the wider church family, local community, and global issues. focusing on un Rights of the Child or British Values in relation to our faith.
Empower – We reflect on our role as global citizens
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Friday – ‘Celebration Worship’ |
Whole School: Energetic worship to close the week, filled with upbeat songs, celebrating pupil progress/achievements, and thanking God.
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All staff are involved in leading worship across the week. We are supported by the local Vicar who leads worship once or twice a term.
The Importance of Prayer
As a Church of England school which upholds a strong Christian ethos, we recognise the importance of prayer as a time to become connected to God and to communicate with Him. Pupils are invited to join in daily acts of prayer through Collective Worship.
Our End-of-Day Prayer
“God bless our school: That working together and playing together; we may learn to do our best for you and each other. Amen”
Our Lunchtime Prayer
“Dear God, as we sit together bless the food we eat today, bless the hands that made the food, bless us all. Amen”
Our School Prayer (used for special events)
This is our school
Let peace dwell here
Let the rooms be full of contentment
Let love abide here
Love of one another
Love of people everywhere
Love of life itself
And love of God.
Let us remember, that as many hands build a house so many hearts build a school.