Christian Life
Our Christian Values and Ethos
This is our school. With God’s help we care for one another, are curious in our learning, and know we are all loved. Luke 10:27 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbour as yourself.'
Love. Learn. Grow
Our Values: Love, Thankfulness, Peace, Perseverance, Hope, Friendship, Forgiveness and Trust.
Religious Education
The Importance of RE at St Mary's Wavendon CE Primary School
As a Church of England school, Religious Education (RE) plays a vital role in nurturing the spiritual, moral and social development of every child. It provides a foundation for pupils to explore life’s big questions, appreciate diverse beliefs, and reflect on their own values in a supportive and inclusive environment. RE at St Mary’s goes beyond academic learning—it helps children understand what it means to live well together, fosters mutual respect, and encourages compassionate action rooted in our distinctively Christian values. In doing so, it supports the holistic growth of our pupils, equipping them to become thoughtful, informed, and respectful members of both their local and global communities.
RE Policy
Spirituality
Spirituality at St Mary's Wavendon CE Primary School
As a Church of England school, St Marys Wavendon warmly welcomes children of all faiths and those of none. Rooted in our Christian vision and values, we are committed to nurturing the spiritual development of every child as a vital part of their journey to Love, Learn and Grow.
At St Mary's, we understand spirituality as encouraging a natural curiosity about ourselves, our relationships with others, our understanding of the world around us, and the mysteries that lie beyond.
We support children in exploring spirituality by helping them ask big questions such as:
Who am I?
Where do I belong?
Why am I here?
Our curriculum and school life encourage children to reflect deeply, notice beauty and wonder, and respond thoughtfully. We invite them to think about the Christian belief in God and Jesus by asking, “What would Jesus do?” and create space for them to develop their own responses to life’s big questions.
Spirituality is woven into our daily collective worship, where children reflect on Christian values through the teachings of Jesus and learn about festivals and beliefs from other world faiths. These moments are carefully planned to stimulate thinking and encourage spiritual growth. Children are invited to pray or reflect quietly each day.
Our Worship Leaders play an active role in leading collective worship and supporting the spiritual life of the school, offering peers encouragement and inspiration.
Across the curriculum, we create and respond to ‘pockets of spirituality’—moments of awe, reflection, and thoughtful discussion that can be planned or arise spontaneously. For example:
Spirituality also grows through everyday moments: listening to church bells from the playground, observing wildlife, or reflecting on world events in a safe and thoughtful way.
Beyond the classroom, children are empowered to act on what matters to them—whether fundraising for charity, making a difference through the School Council, or volunteering alongside local groups. These experiences help them build meaningful relationships and strengthen their connection to the world around them. Extra-curricular clubs also allow children to follow their passions and reflect on personal growth and achievement.
At St Mary's, we recognise that spiritual growth is a personal journey, and each child will travel that path in their own time and way. Our role is to offer a rich range of experiences that encourage every member of our school community to flourish spiritually, guided by our shared vision to Love, Learn and Grow.
St Mary's Church
St Mary’s Wavendon CE Primary School has a strong and supportive relationship with the Church of England, which underpins our identity as a church school. Our connection with St Mary’s Church enriches the life of our school through regular visits, shared celebrations, and the involvement of clergy in worship and spiritual development. This partnership helps us to live out our Christian vision and values, ensuring that faith, community, and education are closely linked in the life of every child.
Read more here: Church of England
Collective Worship and Prayer
Collective Worship at St Mary’s Wavendon CE Primary School
Collective worship is a central and valued part of daily life at St Mary’s Wavendon, where it supports and celebrates the school’s Christian ethos and values. Rooted in the principles and practices of the Church of England, worship provides opportunities for thought, reflection, prayer and celebration in a caring, inclusive environment. It encourages children to explore and deepen their understanding of themselves, others, the wider world and faith—both Christian and other world religions. Worship plays a vital role in strengthening our school identity, developing a sense of community and belonging, and promoting key values such as compassion, respect and thankfulness. Through a variety of worship formats—whether led by staff, pupils, clergy, or visiting speakers—children actively engage by sharing work, singing, praying, or reflecting. Worship is invitational and inclusive, designed to be meaningful and relevant to all, while nurturing spiritual growth and reinforcing our school vision: Love, Learn, Grow.
Worship Leaders
Worship Leaders at St Mary’s Wavendon CE Primary School
Worship Leaders play an active and valued role in the spiritual life of our school. They plan and lead worship events both in school and at St Mary’s Church, working closely with staff, clergy, and other visitors to create meaningful, reflective experiences for their peers. Their responsibilities include writing and delivering prayers, performing readings from the Bible and other texts, and supporting the organisation of whole-school worship assemblies and special services such as Harvest, Christmas, and Easter.
Demonstrating exemplary behaviour and a deep understanding of our school’s Christian values, Worship Leaders are confident and articulate when discussing worship themes and Religious Education topics. They serve as role models for others, encouraging a respectful and thoughtful atmosphere during collective worship and helping their peers to engage more deeply with spiritual and moral questions. Through this role, children develop leadership skills, grow in faith, and contribute positively to the worshipping life of the school community.
Oxford Diocese
The Oxford Diocesan Board of Education (ODBE) is the body responsible for supporting and guiding Church of England schools within the Diocese of Oxford, which covers the counties of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire. It works in partnership with schools, academies, local authorities, and multi-academy trusts to promote high standards of education rooted in the Christian faith.
The Diocese of Oxford is one of the largest in the Church of England and serves over 280 Church of England schools, making it a key influence in the education landscape of the region.
Key roles and responsibilities of the Oxford Diocese in education include:
Promoting Christian ethos and values in schools, ensuring they are lived out in everyday school life.
Supporting school leadership and governance, offering training and advice for headteachers, governors, and clergy.
Overseeing RE and collective worship, ensuring that these areas reflect the Church of England’s guidance and are inclusive, inspiring, and impactful.
Supporting school improvement and curriculum development, particularly in areas related to faith, spirituality, and character education.
Helping schools through the SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools) process, ensuring that Church schools remain distinctive and effective in their Christian mission.
Encouraging strong links between schools and their local churches, nurturing relationships that enrich both communities.
The overarching aim of the Diocese is to ensure that every child in its schools can flourish academically, socially, and spiritually — in line with the Church of England’s vision for education: “Deeply Christian, serving the common good.”