Stanford in the Vale Primary School

Page Updated 28.06.21

Our School Vision

Our Vision
Working together, Achieving together

At Stanford in the Vale CE Primary School, we aim for everybody to flourish in a loving community by 'working together to achieve together', with all achieving their individual potential to be the best they can be through the values of love, hope and community.

Our vision is linked to the story of Nehemiah and the Building of the Wall (Nehemiah 3:1-32), and was picked because it clearly shows the significance of our key values of Love, Hope and Community.

Biblical Teaching (Nehemiah 3: 1-32 Building of the wall)

Nehemiah lived in the city of Susa and worked in King Artaxerxes' palace. He was a special helper to the king. Everyday Nehemiah faithfully served the King.

One day, Nehemiah's brother came to visit. He told Nehemiah some sad news about the city of Jerusalem where their family had once lived. His brother said, “The wall and gates surrounding the city are all fallen down. The people are in trouble.”

This news troubled Nehemiah. He wanted to help, but he didn't know how—so he prayed and asked God what he should do.

Later, when Nehemiah was serving King Artaxerxes, the king noticed that Nehemiah looked sad. He asked Nehemiah why he was so sad. Nehemiah told the king, “The city where my people lived has been destroyed and the gates are torn down.”

The king asked Nehemiah what he wanted to do. Nehemiah prayed and asked God what to say to the king. Then he said, “Please let me go home and rebuild Jerusalem's wall and gates.” The king wanted to help Nehemiah, so he allowed him to go to Jerusalem to work to repair the city. He even helped Nehemiah get the lumber he would need.

When Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem, he rode around the city to see what needed to be done. Then he told the people he had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild its wall and gates. He also told them he would need lots of help.

People from all over helped with this huge building project. Imagine it with me. “Bang! Bang! Bang!” went the hammers. “Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!” went the saws. The people worked hard, and in 52 days the wall and gates were finished. The people celebrated and worshiped God because now they had a secure wall and strong gates around their city.

Nehemiah was thankful that God had used him to help do this important work.

Anyone seeing the plans of Jerusalem then, or now, would recognise what a huge undertaking it would have been to repair the gates and the walls. However, it is recorded that Nehemiah, and his workmen and women, completed the task in just 52 days! The reason they were able to do this is that each member was responsible for a specific task, which they were skilled in, and each was committed to following out their bit, using their best endeavours, strengths, and skills to perform their particular task, thereby enabling the whole project to be achieved in 52 days by working together.

The story of Nehemiah has huge lessons in leadership and collaboration. It also teaches us lessons about ensuring people are treated fairly and, that whatever gifts our children and community members may have individually, we need to share our skills and talents for the common good – to work together and achieve together!

Christian Values

Community

We are all members of the same family and if we combine our strength, work will be achieved and problems shared, celebrating the value of every individual in achieving our aims, regardless of gender, race, ability and beliefs. This is just like Nehemiah and the people who rebuilt the walls and gates in just 52 days. We are all needed and valued and each person is important to the whole.

Bible Readings for Value Boards

1 Corinthians 12:24-26 But God has combined the members of the body….so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.

Acts 4:32-35 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There was no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lads or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

Colossians 3:13-14 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Love

We love each other and all people of the world. We are patient, kind, helpful and trusting and never fail each other, valuing learning in a safe, happy, stimulating environment. This is just like Nehemiah when he heard his people were in trouble and rushed to their aid.

Bible Readings for Value Boards

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 Love is patient and kind…always supportive, loyal and helpful and trusting; love never fails

1 John 3:16 This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us.

Mark 12:31: The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself. ' There is no other commandment greater.

Hope

Hope gives us energy and helps us through difficult times, just like Nehemiah when he wanted to help his people but didn't know how to. He never gave up hope and eventually solved the problem. We believe we can make the world a better place by working together, supporting one another with our Christian ethos, whilst respecting spiritual beliefs of others.

Bible Readings for Value Boards

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Psalm 62:6 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

1 Peter 1:3-4 In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you.

Four Key Drivers

Personal, Social and Emotional Well-being

Spiritual Diversity

Community and Environment

Life Skills

Aims

1. We aim to enable every individual in the school community to reach their full potential and believe in themselves.

2. We aim to nurture each child to become a confident, independent learner, who is willing to take risks.

3. We aim to promote respect and acceptance of others through our Christian values and beliefs.

4. We aim to provide opportunities to develop life skills in a fun and enjoyable way.

5. We aim to make a positive contribution to the church, village and develop a sense of belonging to the wider world.

6. We aim to prepare our children for life beyond our school.

7. We aim to encourage our children to create a sustainable environment for the future.

8. We aim to be an exceptional school.