The Christian Vision

‘Sowing the Seeds of tomorrow; growing in the light of the Lord’

Here at Read St. John’s we are proud of our vision and core values which underpin our day to day life.

At Read St. John’s we aim to unlock the potential for everyone to flourish whilst being rooted and grounded in God’s love. We aim high, so together as one family, we can fly. This vision is underpinned by our Christian values of: Trust, Friendship, Compassion, Perseverance, Forgiveness, Respect, Service and Responsibility.

We created our vision statement based upon theological roots from Matthew 13: 1-23 and our school belief that all children should be given the opportunities, care and support they need to achieve their full potential and to become responsible, confident, and happy members of society. The Bible narrative underpinning our theological roots is the 'Parable of the Sower.' We chose this because it reflects our vision of providing an excellent foundation and all the ingredients needed for all children to flourish and grow to reach their full potential.

Each class has chosen one of our core Christian values to reflect upon and adopt as their class value. Together we have created a whole school display.

 

Spirituality Across Our Curriculum

“Sowing the seeds of tomorrow, growing in the light of the Lord.”

At our school, spirituality is at the heart of everything we do. We believe that every child and adult is on a spiritual journey — growing in understanding, compassion, and faith. Rooted in our Christian vision, “Sowing the seeds of tomorrow, growing in the light of the Lord,” we seek to nurture the spiritual development of both our children and our staff.

Spirituality is not a stand-alone subject; it is woven throughout our curriculum and daily life. We use the child-friendly language of ‘Wows’, ‘Ows’, and ‘Nows’ to help everyone recognise and reflect on spiritual moments as they happen.

  • ‘Wows’ are moments that make us react with awe and wonder — those gasp-out-loud or pinch-yourself experiences that remind us what a wonderfully special place our world is.

  • ‘Ows’ are moments that make us sad — times when we encounter loss, injustice, or damage to our world. These experiences deepen empathy and help us to connect with others.

  • ‘Nows’ are moments to pause, reflect, and simply be. They help us to appreciate the present, to give thanks, and to notice the beauty and blessings in everyday life.

Spirituality in Our Subjects

English

Through stories, poetry, drama, and discussion, children explore the full range of human emotion and experience. They learn to see the world through different eyes and to express their own thoughts and feelings.

  • Wow: Discovering the power of words to move, inspire, or transport us into another world.

  • Ow: Encountering characters who face loss, loneliness, or injustice, and learning to empathise with their struggles.

  • Now: Reflecting quietly after writing or reading, appreciating the beauty of language and the message it conveys.

Science

Science invites children to explore creation with curiosity and care, helping them to see the fingerprints of God in the world around them.

  • Wow: Observing the intricate design of a flower, the vastness of the universe, or the miracle of life itself.

  • Ow: Learning about pollution, extinction, and environmental damage, and realising the importance of protecting our planet.

  • Now: Taking time to observe, record, and reflect on experiments or natural phenomena, marvelling at how everything connects.

Art and Design

Art provides a space for creative expression, imagination, and reflection. It encourages children to see beauty and meaning in the world and to share their unique perspective.

  • Wow: Creating or viewing artwork that captures beauty, emotion, or faith.

  • Ow: Exploring artwork that expresses suffering, loss, or struggle, and connecting with those emotions.

  • Now: Immersing oneself in the creative process — painting, sketching, or sculpting with calm focus and gratitude.

Music

Music uplifts the spirit and allows children to express joy, sadness, and hope. It brings people together and offers moments of stillness and praise.

  • Wow: Hearing or performing a powerful piece of music that moves the heart.

  • Ow: Listening to music that tells a story of loss or hardship, evoking empathy.

  • Now: Feeling the rhythm, singing together in worship, or sitting quietly to absorb a melody.

History

In History, children explore human stories — of courage, perseverance, and faith — and learn from both triumphs and mistakes.

  • Wow: Learning about individuals and events that changed the world for the better.

  • Ow: Discovering the pain caused by conflict, injustice, or oppression.

  • Now: Reflecting on what we can learn from the past and how we can make a positive difference today.

Geography

Geography helps children to appreciate the diversity and wonder of God’s world and understand their role as global citizens and stewards of creation.

  • Wow: Exploring the beauty of our planet — mountains, oceans, and cultures around the world.

  • Ow: Seeing the impact of natural disasters, poverty, and environmental harm.

  • Now: Taking time to appreciate our local environment and consider how to care for it responsibly.

Religious Education (RE) and Collective Worship

RE and worship help children to explore faith, values, and meaning, deepening their understanding of Christianity and other world religions.

  • Wow: Hearing Bible stories that reveal God’s love and power, or learning about acts of kindness and faith.

  • Ow: Reflecting on suffering or moments of challenge in religious stories or real life.

  • Now: Sitting quietly in prayer or reflection, feeling close to God and to one another.

Physical Education (PE)

PE helps children to value their bodies as God’s creation, to experience joy in movement, and to work together in teamwork and respect.

  • Wow: Achieving a new skill, running faster, or working as a team in perfect harmony.

  • Ow: Experiencing disappointment in defeat, but learning resilience and sportsmanship.

  • Now: Being present in the moment — focusing on breathing, movement, and the joy of being active.