Theological Rationale
Our theological vision is to create a welcoming Christian community where every child is viewed as a special person created and loved by God. A place where every member of our school community is valued for who they are and empowered to be the best they can be. A place where everyone is supported to develop into lifelong learners who are resilient, socially skilled, and successful in all aspects of their lives.
‘Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.’ (Proverbs 22:6)
Jesus said ‘I have come that you may have life in all its fullness’ (John 10:10). He calls us to a full life in mind, body, heart and spirit. Therefore, we believe the purpose of education is to nurture, support and empower every child to be the best they can be in all aspects of their lives.
At Emmanuel, we embrace the vision for education set out in the ‘Church of England Vision for Education’ (2016). The Emmanuel vision for education and curriculum intent dovetail with the four elements of the vision: wisdom, hope, community and dignity. Due to this, our theological rationale for how we support the children to reach their full potential is structured into these four elements.
WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS HOPE AND ASPIRATION
COMMUNITY AND LIVING WELL TOGETHER DIGNITY AND RESPECT
Our Theological Rationale is brought to life through our daily work, the relationships across school, our curriculum and Collective Worship.
Please CLICK HERE to find out more about Collective Worship
WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
(BE COURAGEOUS)
‘Good schools nurture academic habits and skills, emotional intelligence and creativity across the whole range of school subjects’ (Church of England Vision for Education 2016 P7)
As Paul said in his letter to the Philippians 'I can do all things through him who strengthens me.' (Philippians 4:13 ESV)
At Emmanuel, we provide an ambitious curriculum, challenging all children to aspire to be the ‘best they can be’. All children learn in a highly inclusive environment which engages them to achieve great outcomes and reach their potential. We provide the children with a broad and balanced curriculum where the knowledge and skills the children need to acquire are coherently planned and sequenced allowing knowledge to be built on and embedded. Due to the careful sequencing of the curriculum, the children use their prior knowledge to allow them to learn new concepts. This curriculum design, supports all children to be courageous when faced with new challenges.
‘I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness.’ (Proverbs 4:11 ESV)
At Emmanuel, academic performance and the development of self (Spirituality, social, moral, physical and cultural development and mental wellbeing) are given equal importance. All children will develop skills within and beyond the curriculum, so that they have the knowledge, self-confidence and freedom to become life-long learners with an inquisitive, 'have-ago' mentality. Our curriculum is designed with the key aim of developing the ‘whole child’ and thus supporting all children to reach their potential.
HOPE AND ASPIRATION
(BE COURAGEOUS)
‘In the drama of ongoing life, how we learn to approach the future is crucial. Good schools open up horizons of hope and aspiration, and guide pupils into ways of fulfilling them.’ (Church of England Vision for Education 2016 P7)
‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.’ (Psalm 32:8)
The building blocks of our curriculum ensure that children are well equipped to prepare them for life in modern Britain, overcoming the contextual barriers to social mobility. Through the embodiment of our core values, the curriculum motivates and enables children to develop as curious and independent learners. They take an active role in leading the curriculum, engage in debate and memorable experiences and explore their further education options and career paths. Pupils are inspired to engage with their learning and be ambitious to achieve academic success.
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3 ESV)
A central aspect to our curriculum is how we support the children in their personal development. Through using a tiered approach to developing the children in their spiritual, social, cultural and moral understanding we employ a comprehensive system to ensure that ‘wrongdoing’ does not have the last word’. We ensure that ‘healing, repair and renewal’ are central in how we support our children to reach their full potential.
COMMUNITY AND LIVING WELL TOGETHER
(BE RESPECTFUL)
‘Education needs to have a core focus on relationships and commitments, participation in communities and institutions, and the qualities of character that enable people to flourish together.’ (Church of England Vision for Education 2016 P7)
‘’For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us.’’ (Romans 12: 4-6 NRSV)
All children will learn to love and recognise the goodness in everyone, make a positive contribution and develop their own spiritual understanding. All children will be supported to take responsibility for their actions and show respect and tolerance for each other and the wider community whilst celebrating and promoting diversity.
The children’s sense of responsibility as current and future citizens is at the heart of all our teaching and learning. Our curriculum prepares all children to gain a greater understanding of issues at a local, national and global scale. Our curriculum supports the children to create links between our school, community and the world around us. Children are given opportunities to take part in social action and engage in courageous advocacy.
‘Do all the good you can
By all the means you can
In all the ways you can
In all the places you can
At all the times you can
To all the people you can
As long as ever you can.’
John Wesley
DIGNITY AND RESPECT
(BE RESPECTFUL, BE SAFE)
‘Human dignity, the ultimate worth of each person, is central to good education.’ (Church of England Vision for Education 2016 P7)
‘So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.’ (Matthew 7:12)
At Emmanuel, we ensure the children have a good understanding about the concept of mutual respect and individual liberty. We teach the children about the ‘protected characteristics’ and we support the children to love and recognise the goodness in everyone. Through our curriculum, we teach the children about different views, beliefs and faiths and celebrate the impact different people from different communities have on our lives.
‘Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.’ (Isaiah 41:10)
Our curriculum ensures that children have a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe. An understanding of how to stay safe in relationships, the community and online are key elements to prepare the children for their future. The curriculum promotes good emotional wellbeing, self-esteem and resilience. It develops pupils’ understanding of how to look after their physical and mental health and supports children to regulate their emotions.
OUR VALUES
Underpinning our theological vision for education are our core values. To enable the children to gain success in all aspects of their education they need to treat themselves and others with respect and love, understand what it means to be safe and to gain the confidence to be courageous in everything they do.
Visit our vision and Values page to read more CLICK HERE