‘Sowing the Seeds of tomorrow; growing in the light of the Lord’
Our Vision and Core Values at Read St. John’s
At Read St. John’s, we are proud of our vision and core Christian values, which guide and underpin everything we do each day.
Our Vision
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 deeply rooted in the biblical teaching from Matthew 13:1-23, the Parable of the Sower. This parable beautifully illustrates our belief that every child deserves the right opportunities, care, and support to grow and flourish. Just as the sower plants seeds in good soil to nurture growth, we provide an excellent foundation and all the necessary ingredients for every child to reach their full potential.
Our Core Christian Values
Our vision is brought to life through our core values, which are woven into the fabric of our school community:
Trust
Friendship
Compassion
Perseverance
Forgiveness
Respect
Service
Responsibility
Each of these values reflects the character and love of God and helps shape our relationships, learning, and behaviour.
Living Our Values Together
To make these values tangible and meaningful, each class has chosen one of our core Christian values to reflect upon and adopt as their Class Value. These are celebrated and displayed throughout the school, forming a whole-school tapestry of faith and growth.
Through this shared commitment, we nurture confident, responsible, and happy members of society who are equipped to flourish in all aspects of life.
At Read St. John’s, our vision and values are not just words—they are the living roots that help every child grow strong and flourish in God’s love.
Living Our Christian Values Every Day at Read St. John’s
Pupil Voice: Flourishing Through Faith and Friendship
At Read St. John’s, pupils are encouraged to express their thoughts and experiences about how the school’s Christian vision shapes their lives. Here are some reflections from our pupils:
“I feel happy and safe at school because everyone is kind and helps each other. Our values like Trust and Friendship make us feel like a family.” – Year 5 pupil
“In collective worship, I like praying and thinking about how God’s love helps us to be better friends and to forgive.” – Year 6 pupil
“Our school helps me to keep on trying even when things are hard because of Perseverance. I know God will help me.” – Year 3 pupil
These voices show how pupils understand and live out our Christian values, fostering a culture of care, respect, and resilience.
Embedding Our Christian Values in Daily Life
Our Christian values are not just words; they are lived out every day through:
Behaviour and Relationships: Pupils and staff demonstrate Trust, Respect, and Compassion in their interactions, creating a positive and dignified school culture.
Curriculum and Learning: Values underpin lessons and activities, encouraging pupils to be responsible, persevere in challenges, and serve others. For example, group projects foster Cooperation and Friendship, while reflection times nurture Forgiveness and inner peace.
Wellbeing and Inclusion: The school’s vision ensures that mental health and wellbeing are priorities. Support systems are in place for vulnerable pupils, reflecting our commitment to Service and Responsibility.
Through these lived experiences, pupils grow holistically—spiritually, academically, socially, and emotionally—flourishing in God’s love.
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 something we can see; it is something we feel inside ourselves. It is about awe and wonder, asking questions, inspiration and being aware of something ‘bigger’ outside of ourselves’
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.
We also use the analysis of windows, mirrors and doors to explore our spirituality:
Windows – look at the world/awe and wonder around you?
Mirror – how does this affect you?
Door – how can this affect others?
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.
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