Church School
WE ARE A CHURCH SCHOOL
We are a Voluntary Controlled Church of England Primary School with Christianity at the forefront of our religious education. Our church, St Mary’s, lies across our school field and up through the lanes of our lovely village, just beyond the water meadows.
.We are proud to be a Church School.
At Twyford St Mary’s, our Christian faith is an important part of who we are. As a Voluntary Controlled Church of England primary school, it shapes our vision, our relationships and the way we learn, live and grow together as a community.
Our Christian vision is TEAM: Together Everyone Achieves More. We believe that every person is uniquely created and loved by God, with their own strengths, gifts and contribution to make. We want every child and adult to feel valued, to recognise the value in others and to know that they belong.
Our vision is rooted in the words of St Paul:
“You are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
1 Corinthians 12:27
Our four Christian values are Courage, Care, Joy and Respect. These values are woven into everyday school life, helping children to make thoughtful choices, build positive relationships and understand how their actions can make a difference to others.
One of the ways we celebrate our values is through our Values Leaves. Children and adults can earn a leaf when they demonstrate one of our values, and each leaf is added to our TEAM Tree. As the tree grows, it reminds us that every contribution matters and that, together, we make our school the special community it is.
St Mary’s Church
We are very fortunate to have St Mary’s Church just across our school field, beyond the water meadows and through the lanes of our village. Our church is a valued part of our school community, and our links with it bring our Christian vision to life.
Throughout the year, children, staff and families come together in church for our Harvest, Christmas, Nativity, Easter and Leavers’ services. These shared occasions give us time to celebrate, reflect and mark important moments in the life of our school.
Our vicar, Rev. Damon Draisey, regularly leads Collective Worship in school and supports our church services and other events. He is also a member of our Governing Body.
Our two Foundation Governors are appointed by the Parochial Church Council. Working alongside the wider governing body, they help to keep our Christian vision and character at the heart of the school’s strategic direction.
We are grateful for the close relationships we share with our local churches and for the time, care and support that members of our church community give to our children and families.
Worship and spirituality
Collective Worship is a valued part of each school day. It brings us together as a community, giving us time to reflect, explore important questions and consider how we can live out our Christian values.
Across the week, worship is led by different members of our school and church community. We explore stories from the Bible, the life and teachings of Jesus, and themes connected to children’s lives, the wider world and the Christian year. Through prayer, music, stories, discussion and quiet reflection, children have opportunities to think about what matters to them and to others.
We also value the opportunity to learn about and reflect on other faiths and worldviews. We encourage children to ask questions, listen thoughtfully to different perspectives and develop an understanding of why beliefs matter to people and how they shape the way people live.
Spirituality is about making time to pause, notice, wonder and reflect. During our annual Spirituality Week, children explore ideas through activities based around doors, mirrors and windows, helping them to consider themselves, other people and the wider world in different ways. Our school grounds and the natural world also offer many opportunities to appreciate beauty; experience wonder and reflect on the things that matter to us.
Children have an active voice in our worship. Our Spiritual Ambassadors help to lead prayers and worship, evaluate Collective Worship and present our Spiritual Award. We want children to feel that their thoughts and ideas matter and that they can help shape the spiritual life of our school.
Working with our community
Being part of a village is an important part of life at Twyford St Mary’s. We value the relationships we share with local organisations, families and other schools, and the opportunities these partnerships bring to our children.
Our partnership with Twyford Prep School is one example. Year 2 children learn to play the recorder with a teacher from Twyford Prep, working towards a joint concert for families. It is a lovely opportunity for children from the two schools to learn together, share their musical achievements and perform as a larger group.
We also work with Winchester College and have opportunities to visit Winchester Cathedral for singing and worship events.
Through these experiences, children develop their confidence, discover new interests and gain a stronger sense of the wider community to which they belong.
Part of the Diocese of Winchester
As a Church of England school, we are part of the Diocese of Winchester. We value the guidance, support and resources it provides, particularly in Religious Education, Collective Worship and developing our Christian vision and distinctiveness.
Our links with the Diocese and Winchester Cathedral help us to deepen our understanding of the Christian faith and connect our children’s experiences at school with the wider life of the Church. More information about their Education Team (which is joint with the Diocese of Portsmouth) can be found here: http://www.winchester.anglican.org/about-us/diocesan-team/joint-education-team/
SIAMS
Like all Church of England schools, Twyford St Mary’s is inspected through the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) framework.
SIAMS considers how effectively a school’s Christian vision shapes its everyday life and makes a difference to its community. This includes leadership, learning, Collective Worship, relationships, personal development and the school’s contribution to the wider world.
For us, this is about more than an inspection. Our Christian vision gives us a shared sense of purpose and helps us reflect on the kind of school we want to be: a place where everyone is valued, relationships are nurtured and children and adults are encouraged to flourish.
You can find out more about SIAMS and read our most recent inspection report below.
LINK
To find out more about St Mary’s Church, Twyford, and the South Downs Gateway Churches, please visit: http://www.sdgateway.org.uk/st-mary-twyford/
SIAMS
All Church schools are subject to the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) which is the Church of England and Methodist Church’s outworking of the requirements of section 48 of the Education Act 2005. SIAMS is a key element of the life of all Church of England and Methodist schools in England and you can find out more about the structure of the inspection and see the latest SIAMS report for Twyford St Mary’s here.
Find out more
For more information about St Mary’s Church, Twyford, and the South Downs Gateway Churches, please visit http://www.sdgateway.org.uk/st-mary-twyford/
We are also affiliated with the Diocese of Winchester and are lucky enough to be able to visit Winchester Cathedral for singing and worship events. More information about their Education Team (which is joint with the Diocese of Portsmouth) can be found here: http://www.winchester.anglican.org/about-us/diocesan-team/joint-education-team/
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