What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, it is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.  Mark 4:30-32  

Church schools have Christian beliefs and values at their heart. This means that every child and adult associated with the school is not just important because they are members of the school but because they are seen as unique individuals within God's creation.

Church schools recognise that as well as academic and emotional intelligence human beings also have spiritual intelligence. The spiritual aspects of life will be recognised, and nurtured alongside the academic and emotional needs of all.

Church schools are places where challenge through questioning is encouraged as through this we can make sense of the world, the gift of life and the purpose of our own personal lives.

The purpose of a Church of England school is to offer a spiritual dimension to the lives of young people, within the traditions of the Church of England, in an increasingly secular world.

What differences should you notice?

As a pupil, parent, visitor or member of staff you should find that your church school is as good as any other good school but you should feel that the way the school works is different and distinctive. That distinctive difference will be rooted in Christian values that affect the way everyone is respected.

We enjoy a daily act of collective worship, in many different ways, sometimes as a whole school or key stage or simply with our own class.

We particularly enjoy having visitors to lead our worship such as  the Open the Book team. 

At start of each collective worship we say our lighting the candle prayer.

Dear Father,

We light this candle as a symbol of 

Your love shining down on us.

As we see the light reflected in

each other's faces,

So may we remember to carry

this love into our 

everyday lives in all our

dealings with others.

Amen

We share our Church School Values in school and at home. The links below will take you to information, stories and activities to explore the values together at home.

Our Church School Values

Our School Prayer

Dear Lord,

This is our school.

Let peace dwell here.

Let the room be full of contentment,

And let love abide here.

Love for one another,

Love for mankind,

Love of life itself

And love of God.

And let us remember that

As many hands build a house,

So many hearts make a school.

Amen  

Reserved Teachers:

What is a Reserved Teacher?
1. Section 58 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 requires the appointment in
Voluntary controlled (VC) schools, or an academy that was previously a VC school, of teachers who are able to provide religious education in accordance with the requirements of the Trust Deed of the school or in accordance with the tenets of the relevant religion or denomination.

2. Where the number of teachers at a foundation or voluntary-controlled school with a religious character is more than two, the teachers must include persons who are selected for their fitness and competence to teach religious education in accordance with the school’s trust deed or with the tenets of the school’s religion and are specifically appointed to do so.

3. These teachers are called Reserved Teachers.

What is denominational religious education?
4. There is no definition in the Act of denominational religious education but in practice it means any religious education provided in accordance with the requirements of the Trust Deed of the school and that is not the Locally Agreed Syllabus. Reserved Teachers may of course teach the Agreed Syllabus but that is not the purpose of their status.

Why is the provision of denominational religious education required?
5. Because parents have the right to request it. The norm in VC Church of England schools is that RE is provided according to the Locally Agreed Syllabus. Reserved Teachers are not needed for this. However, parents may request denominational religious education and the governing body must make it available. Reserved Teachers are appointed in order that suitable persons are available should parents request this provision.

At Chestnut Church of England School, our Reserved Teachers are George Trafford and Afroditi Antoniadou (Executive Headteacher and RE Subject Leader)

The children had a fantastic day at Lincoln cathedral for the Diocese of Lincoln church school carol service. Our children were amazing and loved all the singing and worked hard. 

Harvest Festival

Each year we celebrate our Harvest Festival together with a service in All Saints Church. We also collect food items which we then donate to the Sleaford Larder. 

Open the Book Collective Worship

Thank you to the Open the Book team who regularly come into school to lead super collective worships.

Easter Church Service

Each year we hold an Easter service in All Saints Church.