Our Church School
As a church school, our Christian vision and values underpin all our decisions and are woven through every strand of life at St James. Our diverse, multicultural population is a strength and is celebrated at every opportunity.
The school’s vision is theologically rooted and acknowledges the diversity and multi-faith community we have at St James. It is inclusive and promotes Christian values in a context that can be embraced by every child, parent and staff member regardless of their background or faith.
Follow this link to the Vision and Values page for more information
In our SIAMS inspection in May 2024, the inspector said, "St James is a beacon of hope and possibility at the heart of a richly diverse community." Following this inspection, the Peterborough Diocese awarded the school the 'Church School Excellence Award' in recognition of its distinctiveness and effectiveness as a Church school.
Follow this link to the SIAMs Inspection Report
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Gatherings (Collective Worship) at St James are inclusive. Additional communion services are held termly for children who have received instruction though many additional children, including those of different faiths, also attend to receive a blessing. Christian services at church include Christmas and Easter worship as well as end of year celebrations attended by all children. A mixture of whole school and class collective worship ensures Christian teaching and values are embedded across all year groups with specific teaching and responses taking place in an age-appropriate way. A vibrant Celebration Worship includes time to reflect, to say thank you and to ask for forgiveness. Spirituality is developed explicitly through Collective Worship with further opportunities for reflection and prayer throughout the curriculum.
The school has strong relationships with St James church, with both the incumbent and lay reader leading worship in school fortnightly as well as delivering communion. The school supports the Three Pillars charity, based at St James Church, which serves hot meals twice a week to local residents in need, as well as providing food bank parcels and welfare support.
Events such as Remembrance, Eid, Harvest, Diwali, Black History Month, Christmas and Easter ensure that our children take part in a wide range of activities that celebrate and deepen understanding of different faiths and historical events that have shaped the world of today. As a church school, we are proud that our children leave St James prepared take an active role as a responsibly and empathetic member of the community.
Life in our Church School
