Mission Statement

Achievement by Faith and Work

Inspired by the knowledge and love of God
we all come together to learn
in a Christian community where we are valued
for who we are and who we could become.

Ethos

It is intended that education at St Margaret’s should be both life-lasting and life-enhancing. Our mission statement focuses on the work and the life of the school which takes place in an orderly atmosphere where self-discipline, mutual respect and the welfare of each individual is greatly valued. Importance is given to regular worship, religious education in the classroom and on the general presentation of Christianity in the school family.

The school presents the teachings of Our Lord but recognises that commitment is a matter which must be left to each individual. We regard the school as an extension of the family. We want everyone to enjoy their time with us, to be proud of their school and to uphold the principles that underpin a Christian School.

School Values

As an Academy we have adopted 8 Christian values which we feel are the basis of our community.

• Compassion
• Endurance
• Forgiveness
• Friendship
• Justice
• Peace
• Trust
• Wisdom

A Christian community is a community of faith, and at the heart of faith is TRUST. Trust is about letting go – putting ourselves in God’s, and in other people’s, hands. Jesus told his followers to “trust in God; trust also in me”; so as we work together, we expect members of our community to be trustworthy and reliable, and not to let others down.

Education is not just about academic learning; it is about personal development too. As we work together, we expect that good working relationships, and FRIENDSHIPs, will develop, between students as well as between members of staff. In John 15, Jesus explicitly calls his disciples not servants, but friends. As a community, we celebrate the selflessness of friendship.

JUSTICE is another value that is central to our community. Justice is about appreciating that our well-being is inextricably linked to everyone else’s. It is not just about our response when someone acts inappropriately; it is also about ensuring that everyone is accorded the dignity and the respect and that is rightfully theirs. Isaiah encouraged us to “seek justice!” – and we do.

From time to time, however, we all get things wrong. Jesus commanded us to show FORGIVENESS to each other, and as a Christian community we seek to obey Him. Someone in the wrong should show self-discipline and apologise, making reparation where appropriate; someone who is wronged should accept an apology and not seek to humiliate.

Education is about far more than chemicals, conjunctions and crotchets! As a community, we seek to foster WISDOM and true insight into the way life works – an understanding of the consequences of our thoughts, words and actions and an awareness of the true value of things. Such wisdom is rooted in a proper reverence for God: as the Psalmist puts it, “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom”.

St Paul looked back on his life and was able to say that he had “run the race” right to the end. All those involved in education need to demonstrate similar levels of ENDURANCE – learning is the ultimate life-long task, a marathon not a sprint. By showing patience and resilience we will ensure that no-one is left behind, and that all are able to achieve their God-given potential.

These values will be all the easier for us if we show COMPASSION. Compassion is more than just sympathy: like Jesus, we aim to put ourselves in other people’s shoes, understand their point of view, then do something about it – and thus to grow in faith.

Underpinning all of these, we seek to be a community at PEACE. St Paul describes God as the God of peace. We therefore seek to demonstrate harmony, stability and security within our Christian community, downplaying dissention and accentuating the positive.