The School’s Background

Homefield  C of E VC Primary School was founded by the Church of England in 1962 to educate the children of the village of Bradwell This continues to be our central purpose, and we welcome children of all faiths and none, from within our catchment area and beyond. We maintain close links with the parish church of St Nicolas. We aim to provide an education of the highest quality and, through the experiences we offer to all our children, seek to support them in developing their own moral, spiritual and ethical standpoint.

As a Church of England School we will be inspected against the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist School (SIAMS) evaluation schedule, with the main question being:

How effective is the school’s distinctive Christian vision, established and promoted by  leadership at all levels, in enabling pupils and adults to flourish?     

Our Vision

Our vision is rooted in the idea that everyone as a child of God should be supported to have curious minds, open hearts, experiencing the joy of learning. At Homefield VC C of E Primary we strongly believe in providing the children with inspiring, creative and meaningful learning experiences that builds on their natural curiosity and ignites their passion for learning.

We aspire for all of our children to leave Homefield VC C of E Primary School, with high aspirations, having the confidence and knowledge they need to succeed as unique individuals, knowing that ‘With God, all things are possible’ (Matthew 19:26)

Our school vision shapes our school policies, actions and our school improvement plan.

Our Core Value

Our vision is unpinned by the core value of RESPECT

We actively promote ‘Respect’ throughout our school community. We celebrate difference and diversity by encouraging our children to be outward looking.

By showing and living the value of Respect for ourselves, for others and for the global environment. Our thinking, our behaviour and our decision making is guided towards achieving our vision.

Both our vision and our associated values are grounded in a clear theology firmly rooted in a Christian narrative from the New Testament of the Bible.

In Matthew’s Gospel chapter 22 v 37-39

37, Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’ 38 this is the first and greatest commandment. 39, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ this is the second commandment

As a school community, we are one body that follows these basic principles of ‘love god, love yourself and your neighbour’. We demonstrate this by having respect for ourselves, for others and for the environment

How we work with the Church and Diocese

Our school is part of the Diocese of Norwich.  The Diocese support us in our ongoing improvements and provide a supportive network of other Church schools, with who we can support and be supported by, when developing our Christian character.

To find out more information about the Diocese of Norwich and the support it provides Church of England schools please follow this link:

https://www.dioceseofnorwich.org/schools/why-choose-a-church-of-england-school/

In addition, we work closely with our local Church .  Reverend Steve Deal regularly visits the school to lead Collective Worship. The children enjoy their biweekly visits to the church to take part in an immersive Collective Worship experience.

Why not find out more about our church by using the link: www.stnicholasbradwell.co.uk

Courageous Advocacy

'By way of a working definition, when using the term 'courageous advocacy' we are referring to the act of speaking out against an issue of injustice, often on behalf of those whose voice is not heard.  Speaking out, at whatever level this takes place, requires an element of courage!'

Church of England, Courageous Advocacy, May 2021

At Homefield C of E VC Primary School, we are courageous advocates!  We come together to tackle issues, support others and improve our local and Global enironment through a number of ways.  We aim to develop 'hope' in each member of our community, that no matter how small we are, we can make a difference!

Our hope is that our pupils 'speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves' (Proverbs 31:8).  

Collective Worship

Collective worship is inclusive, invitational and inspiring at Homefield C of E Primary School.  Our Christian values are at the heart of everything we do at the school.

As a church school, we meet together for collective worship to learn about, and reflect upon, those values, considering how we can put them into action in our lives. This is an important time for all of us to gather together to learn, worship and grow in our understanding of God and of ourselves.

Each half-term we focus on a particular value, with further opportunities for the children to think about these values through their curriculum studies and during reflection times. At the end of each week, we celebrate children’s achievements, acknowledging children who have demonstrated those values.

We believe that by living out these values our pupils are developing their spirituality and are being guided to become responsible, compassionate and respectful citizens.

Collective Worship is structured around four key elements: Gathering, Engaging, Responding, Sending.

The children are regularly given the opportunity to respond and reflect more deeply on a Worship’s theme, within their classes, and these responses are captured in their Class Reflection Book.

Please find more information about Collective Worship in our school policy, click on the link below.

Spiritual Development

At Homefield C of E Primary School spiritual development is defined as the lifelong journey of developing as a person even through times of challenge and difficulties. Spiritual development is developing our self-identity and discovering the essence of who we are. This is influenced by our relationships with ourselves, others and the world around us in all its beauty and pain. We develop spiritually through reflecting or thinking about what we see, hear and read which leads to a changed way of thinking or a change in the way we act.

 We aim to provide opportunities, right across the curriculum, for pupils to develop their curiosity, be creative, ask questions, reflect on their experiences and change their perspective.

Spiritual Development is part of our curriculum.  It is thoughtfully and carefully woven into all aspects of our school ethos and culture.