School Vision / Ethos

As a Church school, we are distinctively Christian in our ethos and outlook, and we are inclusive of all.

We are building Combe Down on the values of

• Love,
• Respect,
• Trust,
• Honesty,
• Compassion &
• Forgiveness.

We welcome those of all faiths and none and hope that our vision and values will inspire them to develop into adults who will be successful, confident individuals who enrich the lives of others.

These values align well with the fundamental values of the United Kingdom.

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect
• Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and for those without faith

We worked with members of our school community, children, staff, parents, governors and church representatives, to draw together all the values that we feel should be part of school life.

These values also link into the Palladian Trust values and vision where we want to provide exceptional learning and achievement for all in the Trust, including staff, through:

• Well-being
• Character
• Enrichment
• Partnership
• Professional development

The school’s behaviour policy, language, ethos and rewards systems all prioritise and celebrate our values. The school has a Golden Book, which details a few examples of the way in which we live out these values in real terms such as:

• Excellent conduct
• Selfless charitable giving
• Multicultural development and understanding
• Praise from those outside our school for the children’s behaviour and manners

Our rewards system celebrates these values too. Each week certificates which recognise the Value for the term or the Learning Gem are given out in Celebration Worship on Fridays. Learning Gems relate to being responsible, courageous, resilient, focused, collaborating and cooperating.

School Ethos

The school aims to serve its community by providing an education of the highest quality. It encourages an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith and promotes Christian values through the experience it offers to all its pupils.

The school recognises its historic foundation and will preserve and develop its religious character in accordance with the principles of the Church of England and in partnership with the Church at parish and diocesan level.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed is a story that Jesus told about a very small seed growing into a large tree that provides shelter for many birds. It is recorded in Matthew 13:31-32.

As a school this image reflects our ambition to plant seeds of learning, nurture each child to achieve their aspirations, live and grow together valuing all and branch out into the community and wider world. Combe Down welcomes all into the safety and shelter of its branches.

If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, nothing will be impossible for you!