Being the best we can be for ourselves, others and God’s world

At St Martin’s C of E Primary and Nursery School, our Christian vision is at the heart of who we are and everything we do:

“Being the best we can be for ourselves, others and God’s world.”

Our vision is rooted in the words of Jesus:

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10

We believe that every child is precious, unique and loved. We want every member of our school community to flourish, developing the confidence, knowledge and character they need to become the best that they can be.

We place great importance on creating a school where children feel safe, known, valued and cared for. We recognise that children learn best when they feel secure and supported, while also being encouraged and challenged to grow. Our aim is to provide an environment in which children can be curious, ask questions, make mistakes, discover their gifts and develop a lifelong love of learning.

Following the example of St Martin

Our school takes inspiration from St Martin of Tours, whose life demonstrated compassion, generosity and care for others.

The example of St Martin challenges us to look beyond ourselves and notice the people around us. We encourage our children to recognise when others need help, to respond with kindness and compassion, and to understand that even seemingly small actions can make a difference.

Like St Martin, we want our children to grow into people who do not simply think about themselves, but understand their responsibility towards others and the world around them.

Growing together

Relationships are at the heart of life at St Martin’s. We want our school to be a community in which children and adults know that they belong and where everyone is treated with dignity, respect and compassion.

We place enormous value on our relationships with parents and carers and recognise them as partners in their child’s education. Through openness, trust and working together, we seek to provide the very best opportunities for every child.

We also want our children to recognise that there are perspectives and experiences beyond their own. By learning to listen, understand and show empathy, children develop the skills they need to live and work successfully alongside others.

Living life in all its fullness

Our Church of England foundation is an important part of the identity of St Martin’s. Our Christian vision shapes school life and our desire for both children and adults to flourish. Our approach is inclusive and invitational, recognising that our community includes people from different faith backgrounds and those with non-religious worldviews.

Ultimately, we want children to leave St Martin’s as confident, compassionate, curious and hopeful young people. We want them to be resilient when things are difficult, courageous when faced with new challenges and thoughtful about the impact they can have on other people and the world around them.

Our aspiration is that everyone within our community can:

“Be the best we can be for ourselves, others and God’s world.”

In doing so, we hope that every child experiences the promise at the heart of our vision:

“Life in all its fullness.” – John 10:10