During the Spring terms, the children in R1 looked at the importance of Easter and why it is celebrated. The children were very fortunate to help decorate the Easter Garden at the church with Reverend Andy and Bea. Whilst we decorated the Easter Garden, the children learnt all about the Easter story and we replicated this through our own garden. The children also created a section each of a collage of Jesus at Easter.

We have also looked at what places are special and where we may belong. We acted out our own version of a Baptism and thought about the importance of this to some Christians. We also looked at where and how we belong as individuals.

During Christmas, the children in R1 took part in their own nativity. In class, we broke down the Christmas story in more detail and looked at why nativity’s are important to some Christians.

Reception and Year 1 exploring The Creation Story.

In Year 2, we have been learning about the good news that Jesus brings in our Religious Education lessons. We began by exploring friendship and acting out the story of Jesus calling Matthew, considering how Jesus was a ‘friend to the friendless.’  We then moved on to the concept of forgiveness, sharing examples of times when we might need to be forgiven and how we can show forgiveness to others.

Next, we focused on the concept of peace, discussing how it is represented in the world, in our hearts and through the actions and behaviour of others. The children thought about how Jesus brings peace to Christians around the world and what this might look like in their own lives.

We also explored The Big Frieze artwork, paying particular attention to the Gospel image. Together, we interpreted the different symbols in the painting and discussed what they might represent about Jesus’ message of friendship, forgiveness and peace.

To link our learning to our everyday experiences, and the School Values of friendship and peace, the children searched for places around our school environment where they could see examples of friendship, peace and forgiveness in action. They worked collaboratively to create drama freeze-frames of these situations, bringing their ideas to life through expressive performance.

In Year 3 and 4, we have been working on a unit on "What is the Trinity?" The children made cards and bookmarks to represent the idea, which could be sold on the christian gift company website. 

We'd looked at symbolism in past lessons, its representation in artwork, and last week we looked at the Christian gift website and identified symbols of the trinity in the gifts they sell.  The children were then given the choice of making a card or bookmark which could be sold on the website. 

Here at Loddington CE Primary School, our vision is underpinned by the bible verse John 10:10. 

Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life and have it in all its fullness.”

 Together, we explored this verse in each class and as a school in worship. 

Loddington Primary is a family community where everyone is nurtured and truly valued. We strive to ensure that all our children enjoy school in our happy, welcoming environment.  Through our engaging curriculum and placing Christian Values at the heart of what we do, we hope to inspire children to become confident and caring individuals who live life in all its fullness.

Here is a small representation of our work from that day.

Ethos Statement

At the heart of the Christian faith is the call to love God and to love our neighbour.

Loddington Church of England Primary School’s ethos is firmly grounded in these Christian values which inform all school activity, while respecting and understanding others’ faith, belief and culture as well as those who do not have a faith or belief.

We strongly believe that we must provide a holistic, respectful and child centred experience that allows each and every child to achieve their full potential.

Our Vision

Loddington Primary is a family community where everyone is nurtured and truly valued. We strive to ensure that all our children enjoy school in our happy, welcoming environment. Through our engaging curriculum and placing Christian Values at the heart of what we do, we hope to inspire children to become confident and caring individuals who live life in all its fullness.

Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.” John 10:10

We aspire for our children to become responsible, confident and creative members of our school community, whereby they flourish – reaching their full potential. Staff have high ambitions for all children, and children thrive from our secure and caring community. As an inclusive school, we work in partnership with our local community, parents, and our local churches – living out our Christian values every day. The solid foundation we set, alongside real-world experiences, prepares our children to become role-model citizens.

Our Aims are to:

• provide many and varied opportunities for learning, always recognising and developing the abilities, talents and diversity of each individual.

• celebrate the achievements of each and every child nurturing them to be the best they can be.

• further develop the school as a unique and diverse community set at the heart of the wider community it serves.

• to develop the children as responsible citizens who are equipped to meet the challenges of the future in an ever changing multi-cultural society.

• embed Christian values in everything we do

Values

Our VALUES are:

Respect

Luke 6:31 “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”

Perseverance

Galatians 6:9   “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Friendship

Colossians 3:13     “May I be patient with my friends and may I forgive freely like you have forgiven me.  May I shine your light in my friendships, giving glory to you through all that I do, say and think.  Thank you for my friends, Jesus.  Thank you for the ways they build me up and remind me of your goodness and faithfulness.”

Trust

 Proverbs 3:5-6  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. “ 

Honesty

1 John 3:18 “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

Peace

John 14:27   “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

The school also actively promotes the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.’

We are Courageous Advocates

Courageous Advocacy links to our Church school ethos of enabling pupils to make ethical choices and to be agents of change.  This includes:

• The act of speaking out against an issue of injustice, often on behalf of those whose voice is not heard. 

• Speaking out, at whatever level this takes place, requires an element of courage. 

• Becoming courageous advocates of change, therefore, must involve being informed about an issue and it must move beyond simply knowing, to saying and doing. 

• Courageous advocacy is a long-term legacy, an endowment to future generations; it is about releasing the possibility of the pupils in our school to serve the common good. 

In Reception and Year 1 

• Children have had talks for the RSPCA, Natonal lifeboats association about animal and water safety.
• Litter picking visit with the children thinking about how they as individuals can help make the village a healthier and cleaner environment.
• In Spring, the children learn about Loddington village, and consider the physical and human features. Children go on a walk and consider what can be done to protect physical features.
• Children plant and grow plants down in the wetlands area during the spring term and help grow and nurture these plants.
• Children make bird feeders down in the wetlands area to help the animals in their local area.

In Year 2

• • Discuss how taking small actions, like helping others or caring for the environment, demonstrates empathy and responsibility towards others.
  • Citizenship PSHE focus: explore ways that we can make our school environment better for all. Conduct democratic votes for elections and discuss importance of School Council and other roles of responsibility.
  • When exploring the world in Geography discuss plastic in oceans and other threats to the environment. Create posters (or small ppt presentations) to explain a cause and/or share important messages with other children and adults.
  • School Council representatives working to organise activities, sharing with the rest of Y2 through their Class Council. Similarly, Eco and Ethos committee members share their actions.
  • Safer Internet Day (26^th February) – Raising awareness for the need to be safe on the internet. Gathering children’s ideas and opinions, with the Digital Leaders supporting activities linked to the event.
  • Explore personal passions of the children, considering how these can be encouraged to flourish, and children be supported in speaking out about what is important to them.
  • Taking part in school-wide action for change, e.g., supporting the Harvest Festival donations. Ensure that children understand the wider impact of taking part in these activities.
  • Use the ‘Little People, Big Dreams’ series of books as examples of courageous advocates in different fields.

In Year 3 and 4

• • Through Art, Science and Music, explore the impact of achievements in these fields by studying the work of significant people. Use the “Standing on the shoulders of Giants” book and resources to support this.
  • Environmental work linked to Eco Schools – creating posters to remind people in our school community about the importance of saving water and energy. Raise awareness in our local community by organising litter picks and helping to create areas where wildlife can thrive and be safe – bug hotels and bird feeders.
  • Recognising and celebrating children’s personal achievements – celebration worship, achievements boards, celebrating successes with one another
  • During work in Geography, looking at ways to keep our rivers and waterways pollution free. Work with the Canals and Rivers Trust to become involved supporting local campaigns.
  • PSHE work on Citizenship and democracy. School Council/Ethos/Digital Leaders/Eco elections – discussions around how to be fair for all.
  • Explore possibilities of educational visits to UK Parliament, or outreach service coming to school to develop understanding of democracy and how we can get our voices heard.

In Year 5 and 6

• • Discuss how taking small actions, like helping others or caring for the environment, demonstrates empathy and responsibility towards others. Y5/6 representatives can use these discussions to drive decisions for action for the school’s ECO committee.
  • Members of the Ethos Committee contribute to decisions of how the school’s Christians can be promoted, and this has led to such activities of the children creating posters to represent the school’s values.
  • Citizenship PSHE focus explore ways that we can make our school environment better for all. Conduct democratic votes for elections and discuss importance of School Council and other roles of responsibility.
  • When exploring the world in Geography discuss deforestation and the threats to the environment. Write persuasive letters to explain a cause and/or share important messages with other children and adults and where relevant external agencies such as WWF.
  • School Council representatives working to organise activities, sharing with the rest of Y5/6 through their Class Council. Similarly, Eco and Ethos committee members share their actions.
  • Safer Internet Day (26^th February) – Raising awareness for the need to be safe on the internet. Gathering children’s ideas and opinions, with the Digital Leaders supporting activities linked to the event.
  • Explore personal passions of the children, considering how these can be encouraged to flourish, and children be supported in speaking out about what is important to them.
  • Taking part in school-wide action for change, e.g., supporting the Harvest Festival donations. Ensure that children understand the wider impact of taking part in these activities.
  • Use the ‘Little People, Big Dreams’ series of books as well as other resources as examples of courageous advocates in different fields.