How we try to shine our light everyday at Denby Free

School Vision

Believe    Achieve   Imagine   Shine

Denby Free is a beacon of light and warmth. Community Collaboration and stewardship for God’s natural world which is our home is at the heart of everything that happens at our school. The light provided through the teachings of Jesus inspires us to search for wisdom with integrity so that we can shine and flourish together. We encourage, nurture and respect each other as we grow in our learning and our living. Together we shine far and wide to positively become the catalyst of change for our community and, through courageous advocacy, the wider world.

Our mission inspiration:

‘Jesus breathed his spirit into his followers’

‘As the Father sent me, so I send you’ (John 20: 21 – 22)

At Denby Free Primary School, we believe we are in the privileged position to have been gifted the opportunity to pass on the ‘Word of God’, through the teachings of Jesus, to our children and the broader community which we serve so that we might all ‘Live Life in all its fullness’.

Everything we do in our school is based on the search for, and the delight to be found in, Wisdom. We believe that the source of Wisdom is the God of Creation and therefore we must seek Wisdom through striving to have a deeply connected relationship with the earth, cosmos, animals and plants of our universe. Many of our children and families experience real anxiety and hopelessness about the current challenges we find ourselves living through; domestic, familial, economic, social and environmental which have a negative impact on their daily lives. We feel we have a duty to empower children to be the change they want to see as the future belongs to them. Our inspiration is that all children shine, exuding light and warmth, and go on to have a bright and positive future. We seek to ensure that whilst they understand the fragility of the human race, they achieve the knowledge, skills and empowerment needed for 21^st Century living. Through this we aim to build hope for the future which we feel is the cornerstone of all learning.

From a relatively small school in a tiny village in England, we want our children to look out to their communities, both local and global, and learn from the rich diversity of all cultures and traditions. We want them to consider how they will serve in our wonderful world in the future and aspire for them to be beacons of love and compassion. We want them to practise wise faith by asking big questions (taking inspiration from the Book of Job) and to be imaginative and daring in their responses to adversity.

We are inspired daily by our school bible verse:

‘Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.’ Matthew 5:16’

Through this we endeavour to recognise and value the worth of everyone in our school community and, equally, develop each person’s sense of self-worth. We aim to strike a balance between pride and humility, and between self- fulfilment and service. Through our Attachment Aware ethos, we work closely with those who are vulnerable and yet to discover their ‘light’ to ensure that every child reaches their God – given potential to become a ‘light – bearer’:

‘You’re here to be light, bringing out the God colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept’ Matthew 5.16 (The Message)

Mrs Jackie Bell

Head teacher