During 2021-2022, a working group with representatives from our staff, governors and parents was formed to review Emmanuel’s school vision and values and if necessary, make an alternative proposal to the governing board. The working group were keen to ensure our vision and values are aspirational, robust and will shape policies, actions and development plans so that all children and adults flourish in our wonderful school community for years to come.
Following approval from the governors, our new school vision is: From Alpha to Omega – life in all its fullness. (John 10:10)
We believe this offers a vision of human flourishing for all, which embraces excellence and academic rigour but sets them in a wider framework. At Emmanuel, we want our children to excel in the core skills of reading, writing and maths and to also experience the whole breadth of the curriculum; whether that may be in History, Art, Music or PE to name but a few subjects. However, we are equally passionate about the spiritual, physical, emotional, moral and social development of children and know that it is often learning in these areas that ensures children are ready for the next stage of education and life beyond. Furthermore, whilst rooted in Christian theology, the vision is hospitable to diversity, respects freedom of religion and belief, and encourages others to contribute from the depths of their own traditions and understandings.
‘From Alpha to Omega’, shows our intention for children to experience ‘life in all its fullness’ from the moment they step into the Alpha building in Nursery or Reception until the day they leave us in Year 6 from the Omega building. In addition, Omega is the last letter of the Greek alphabet and is often interpreted as ‘until the end’, which demonstrates our aspiration for our children and families to continue to have ‘life in all its fullness’ after they leave Emmanuel too.
The working party went on to discuss the values which would help us uphold our school vision and decided to streamline the number of Christian and learning values that are woven into the very fabric of the school so they can be meaningfully lived out each day.
With that in mind, our six school values are:
Respect,
Service
Resilience
Wisdom
Forgiveness
Joy – voted for by the staff and children of Emmanuel and captures the special atmosphere in our school community and how we want our children to feel about coming to school each day to learn.
In celebration worship on a Friday, two children from each class will be awarded for showing our school vision and values, their names will be published in the weekly newsletter and a certificate will be taken home.
