Our Christian Distinctiveness

Our Vision

Inspiring All to Soar to New Heights

Those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles.

Isaiah 40:31

At Downham C of E Primary School, we pride ourselves on being a loving and inclusive community where each individual is valued and treated with compassion and kindness. Our Christian vision is deeply embedded in all aspects of school life, guiding our actions and interactions. We are dedicated to supporting our pupils in becoming the best versions of themselves; as a result, they flourish and succeed both academically and personally.

Pupils genuinely enjoy coming to school, feeling secure in an environment where trusted relationships with caring adults are prioritised. At Downham, we nurture pupils to embody our core Christian values of Challenge, Creativity, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Courage. We believe that these principles equip them not only for academic success but also for a fulfilling life beyond our walls. We warmly welcome you to explore all that our community has to offer.

Spiritual development is a fundamental aspect of children's personal progress that exists beyond faith or religious affiliation.  We work to enable children to develop holistically in order that they become happy, fulfilled, spiritually aware, and socially and emotionally engaged.

Spirituality at Downham C of E Primary School

Spirituality is not possible to teach. It is like the wind ‐ it makes a difference but is uncontrollable for each person. It might change someone’s understanding and beliefs but ultimately is an innate sense of awe and wonder. It is about understanding that there is something more than just ‘me’. Promoting spirituality should not be confused with developing faith. Faith is a set of beliefs by which you live your life by and could be a response to a belief in God. Faith is something you choose whereas spirituality is an aspect of human development ‐ it is not separate but integral to who we are and what makes us whole. Spirituality is for everybody regardless of faith.

Opportunities for spirituality development come when:

• children are given space to stop, look, listen, think and reflect

• children feel safe to share opinions and think differently from others

• children use their imagination Children need:

• time to be listened to;

• adults that are respectful;

• space to explore, think and discuss;

• opportunities that encourage wonder and surprise;

• to know that there is not always a product or end result;

• to know there is another way.

• time to ‘just be’ and to experience peace and stillness