Mission Statement

St Stephen's CofE School aims to develop its children and staff to their full potential in a happy and caring Christian environment by:

  • Providing a high quality education for all, both academic and social, fostering high expectations and aspirations

  • Maintaining a caring and disciplined ethos

  • Maintaining close home/school links

  • Developing in its pupils, as members of a Church school, a sympathetic and caring approach

  • Understanding the Christian faith and respecting other world faiths

Ethos Statement

St Stephen's CofE School recognises its historic foundation and will preserve and develop its religious character in accordance with the principles of the Church of England and in partnership with the Churches at parish and Diocesan level.

The school aims to serve its community by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice. It encourages an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith, and promotes Christian values through the experience offered to all children. Our Key Christian Values are:

LOVE 

"Do everything in love"

Corinthians 16:14

Love is a very important value to us as a school. Love underpins everything that we do. It is very much ‘the why’ of who we are. Love is evident in our relationships with each other and in our actions to support our community and our world. We see it in our interactions at school and home, feel it when we are together, and experience it through how others act towards us. We can grow and learn together because we know that God loves us.

HOPE  

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."

Romans 15:13

As a Church school we understand that faith gives us hope for both now and for the future, and that this hope brings confidence. Hope for us means that there is always a future whatever situation we are in, because God promised to never leave us, to always love us, and to help us in times of need.

RESILIENCE

"But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your hard work will be rewarded."

2 Chronicles 15:7

An observation by many staff is that our children have difficulties in self-belief and working through something when it is difficult. Given that our school vision is driven by faith to climb mountains, instilling a culture of perseverance and resilience is recognised as a must!

FAITH 

"For truly I tell you if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you."

Matthew 17:20-21

At St Stephen’s, we believe that faith is a firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. (Hebrews 11) It is rooted as our faith in God but it is also a firm faith, trust and confidence in ourselves, others and in the children we teach. We want our children to grow the faith that they have in themselves and develop their own core beliefs, underpinned by Christian values and teaching, to equip them as they leave our school and take their place in the world.

JUSTICE

"But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!"

Amos 5:24

At St Stephen’s we look towards Jesus and his life upon Earth as examples as justice. Jesus, who healed the sick, defended the weak and ultimately paid the price for our sins and freed us from our oppression of sin and death. He turned no one away and showed God's love to all who would draw near. At St Stephen’s we are champions for those who do not have a voice and courageous in our mission to make a difference, following the example of Jesus.

TRUST 

"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."

Proverbs 3:5-6

We believe that educating and working with the whole community is essential to ensuring happiness and success. A shared commitment to working together and trusting families and school equally is rooted firmly in our work. With this partnership, children will benefit from a trusting relationship, focused on achieving the very best for all.

RESPECT

"Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves."

Romans 12:10

At St Stephen’s respect is valuing everyone and everything and celebrating our differences.

Self respect - means being able to celebrate our gifts and talents, looking after ourselves and the bodies that God has given us.

Respect for parents and carers – honouring mum and dad or those who care for us; helping at home; appreciating what’s done for us; cooperation not conflict; taking responsibility.

Respect for others - everyone is special; everyone's opinion matters; everyone's contribution is important; everyone's feelings should be considered; everyone's faith is sacred.

Respect can mean simply treating each other with politeness and courtesy, and recognising that everyone’s contribution is important and that everyone’s feelings should be considered.