Our Church School
Our Christian Values
Faith, hope and love at the heart of everything we do
"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds." Matthew 5:16
Our Vision
Reaching For the Stars, Let Your Light Shine
Serving, Believing, Growing
Serving as Jesus Did
"Serve One Another In Love" (John 13:1-17)
Jesus explained why He had washed the disciples' feet: Jesus wanted them to love others by serving. We strive to support and serve one another, our local community and our wider communities. Our Christian ethos underpins all that we do; we value and celebrate individual and collective achievements. Together, we learn about and develop our Christian values.
We are one family
We are one family and our children shine. Our school provides a loving, nurturing and inclusive Christian foundation for all.
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
Just like in the parable of the mustard seed, the field was a good place for the seed to grow into the strongest tree; our school supports our children and community to grow, thrive and flourish. We believe that every child should achieve their full potential in the image of God; we are committed to ensuring we develop the whole child, linked to the Church of England's vision of 'life in all its fullness at its heart'.
Our Ethos
Our Christian Foundation
To inspire each child to be happy, independent and successful life-long learners; living life in all its fullness. Our Christian foundation and ethos is underpinned by trust, mutual respect, love of God and love for one another.
We promote equality, care for others and respect for others' values and beliefs, to enable our children to grow up and appreciate our diverse and multicultural society. We believe that all children and young people have the right to be happy, healthy and safe; to be loved, valued and respected; and to have high aspirations for their future.
Our school values each child and adult as a unique individual and recognises the importance of nurturing every aspect of a child's personality — intellectual and emotional; creative and reflective; physical and spiritual. We endeavour to support and encourage each child to become confident, caring and responsible citizens who in turn, support and value the communities that we are a part of, both near and far.
We aim to realise our vision by:
Ensuring our children have a firm foundation of knowledge, understanding and skills onto which they can build, as they journey through life.
Nurturing and developing the potential of each child and adult; working in partnership with our families and communities to ensure that the children are at the heart of all we do.
Promoting excellence through our teaching and bringing learning alive, so our children are inquisitive, feel confident to ask and answer questions, are active learners and support one another.
Being a welcoming, warm and friendly school where everybody is valued.
Church Distinctiveness
Our Relationship with the Parish Church
As a Church of England Voluntary Aided school, we enjoy a close and valued relationship with St Peter and St Paul Church, Barnham Broom. Our incumbent and the wider parish community play an active role in the life of the school throughout the year.
We hold special services at the church at key points in the Christian calendar — including Harvest, Christmas, Easter and our Leavers' Service — which are open to all families. These occasions are an important part of our school year, helping children connect with the wider church community and experience worship in a traditional church setting.
Our school is also committed to Christian charitable work, courageous advocacy and social action. Children learn the importance of serving others and making a positive difference — locally, nationally and globally.
Our Diocese
We are part of the Diocese of Norwich, which supports Church of England schools across Norfolk and Waveney. The diocese provides guidance, training and resources to help us fulfil our Christian vision and serve our community well.
Diocese of Norwich
Foundation Governors
Foundation Governors
As a Voluntary Aided school, a majority of our governing board are foundation governors — appointed by the Diocese of Norwich and the Parochial Church Council (PCC) of St Peter and St Paul, Barnham Broom. Foundation governors play a vital role in upholding and developing the school's Christian vision and ethos.
Foundation governors ensure that the school continues to be conducted as a Church of England school in accordance with its trust deed, and that the religious character of the school is preserved and developed. They work alongside all governors to support the school's leadership and hold it to account for the wellbeing and achievement of every pupil.
Spirituality
Our Definition of Spirituality
At Barnham Broom Primary School, spirituality is about noticing, reflecting and responding to the world around us and within us. It is the ongoing journey of discovering who we are, understanding our place in God's world, and appreciating our connections with others and creation.
We believe spirituality is not confined to religious belief. It is experienced by everyone through moments of awe and wonder, times of joy and challenge, acts of kindness and compassion, and opportunities for reflection and growth.
Self
Understanding our own thoughts, feelings, beliefs and values, and developing resilience, self-awareness and hope.
Others
Building positive relationships, showing love, respect, forgiveness and compassion, and recognising the dignity and worth of every person.
The World
Developing a sense of wonder about the beauty, diversity and complexity of creation, and understanding our responsibility to care for it.
God
Providing opportunities to explore faith, ask big questions, reflect on life's meaning and purpose, and deepen understanding of the Christian faith.
Spirituality at Barnham Broom Primary School is not something we do; it is a way of seeing, understanding and responding to life that helps every child and adult flourish.
Collective Worship
Coming Together in Worship
Collective worship is a central part of our school day. We gather together as a whole school community to reflect, pray, sing and explore our Christian values. Worship is inclusive and invitational — every child and adult is welcome to participate in a way that is right for them.
We follow the Roots and Fruits programme, exploring 12 Christian values over a two-year cycle: Compassion, Courage, Forgiveness, Friendship, Generosity, Justice, Perseverance, Respect, Service, Thankfulness, Trust and Truthfulness. Each assembly follows the pattern of Welcome, Learning, Reflecting and Responding — matching the Windows, Mirrors, Doors strategy.
We also hold special services throughout the year — including Harvest, Christmas, Easter and Leavers' services — at St Peter and St Paul Church, which are open to all families.
Religious Education
RE at Barnham Broom
Religious Education is a core part of our curriculum. We follow the Norfolk Agreed Syllabus, which ensures children develop a broad and balanced understanding of Christianity and other world faiths.
In RE, children explore big questions about life, meaning and belief. They learn about the teachings of Jesus, the Bible, and the practices of Christians, as well as developing respect and curiosity for the beliefs of others. Our RE curriculum is taught with rigour, sensitivity and enthusiasm.
As a Church of England school, Christianity is studied in greater depth across all year groups, giving children a rich understanding of the faith that underpins our school's vision and values.
SIAMS Inspection
Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools
SIAMS inspections assess how well a Church of England school is living up to its Christian vision and serving its pupils and community. Our most recent SIAMS inspection took place in February 2020.
A SIAMS inspection is a statutory inspection carried out by the Church of England to evaluate how effectively a church school's Christian vision and values are lived out across all aspects of school life. It is separate from an Ofsted inspection and focuses specifically on the school's Christian character and distinctiveness.
SIAMS Inspection
February 2020
What inspectors said:
"The school lives out its vision of serving others through the care and nurture of the whole community."
"Good relationships shine out. Their importance permeates throughout the school and into everything that the school does."
"The school is a very calm and safe environment. It is a highly nurturing school that succeeds in developing the best in its pupils, both academically and emotionally. Pupils enjoy a challenge and can persevere when things get tough."
"This is a school where parents see their children 'grow and blossom.' Many parents choose the school because of its inclusive and welcoming ethos."