“Living and Learning Together”

The Federation of Priddy Primary and St Lawrence’s C of E Schools, serves two scenic rural communities in Somerset. The two popular schools are approximately 3 miles apart in the villages of Priddy and Westbury-sub-Mendip. They are surrounded by the beautiful landscape and countryside of the Mendip Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Both schools are very proud of their successful federation, and work closely together providing a nurturing and caring environment and a wealth of opportunities for our children, staff and communities.

THE AIMS OF THE FEDERATION OF PRIDDY AND ST. LAWRENCE’S SCHOOLS ARE:
 

• To provide a happy, caring and secure learning environment in which Christian values are a fundamental part.
• To value each child as an individual who is able to contribute increasingly to the wider community.
• To foster and develop relationships in an environment where children enjoy their learning and where co-operation and collaboration are encouraged, so that everyone can achieve the highest standard possible in all that they undertake.
• To develop skills, knowledge and understanding relevant to the needs of each child, giving them full opportunity to develop their potential.
• To encourage children to make informed choices and become lifelong learners.
• To respect one another as individuals with differing needs and abilities.
• To encourage respect for religious and moral values and sensitivity towards others in a multi-racial, multi-cultural society.
• To enable the children to become thoughtful and responsible, with increasing independence.
• To keep children safe and promote healthy living.
• To take advantage of all the benefits associated with being a small school within a village community.
• To develop spiritual awareness and a sense of wonder.
• To involve families as partners in working towards the attainment of these goals.

Be the best that you can be!
“Living and learning together”

THANKFULNESS   COMPASSION   TRUST   PEACE   FRIENDSHIP   HOPE

Our School Vision
Our vision and values are at the core of everything we do. They underpin our teaching and learning, and provide an environment which prepares our pupils as confident, happy citizens.
Our mission statement "To be the best that you can be" sums up the Christian ethos across the Priddy & St Lawrence’s federation. It is our belief that the commitment and enthusiasm of the staff in both enjoying and supporting our children to realise this aim is key. If we have high expectations the children will aspire to great things whatever their talents may be.

Our School Values
The values of our school were chosen by the children and are grounded in the Christian faith. These values have been highlighted below along with key biblical verses to support the planning of collective worship;

1. We show friendship by allowing each and every one of us to grow and to ensure that individuality is recognised.

E.G. The friendship of David and Jonathan is very strongly emphasised in the Bible, Abraham is described as the friend of God (James 2:23) and Jesus explicitly calls his disciples not servants but friends (John 15:14 - 15), ‘Jesus heals a paralysed man’ (Luke 5), the parable of the persistent friend at night

2. We show peace through being healthy and happy with ourselves; working in harmony with others and showing forgiveness to allow us to have peace.
E.G. 1 Peter 3:10-11 (quoting Psalm 34), Matthew 5:9: 'God blesses those who make peace. They will be called his children.'

3. We show hope through teaching children to have assurance that God can be relied upon – to understand Gods plans even when things don’t happen the way we want them to sometimes.
E.G. Paul says: ‘We know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.’ (Romans 5:3-4), Hope is coupled with faith and love as one of the three most enduring gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 13:13), consideration of current events in reflection of our Christian Values.

4. We show trust through placing our trust in God, our friendships and family.

E.G. the parable of the sower (three Synoptic Gospels in Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:1-15), parable of the three bags of gold (Matthew 25:14-30)

5. We show compassion towards others and always make sure we try to understand and support others. We teach children that their attitudes and actions should reflect kindness and compassion. E.G. ‘clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.’ (Colossians 3:12), Jesus showed compassion towards the ‘harassed and helpless’ crowds (Matthew 9.36), Prodigal son, ‘But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.’ (Luke 15:20), ‘The Parable of the Good Samaritan’ (Luke 10:25-37)

6. We show thankfulness through our appreciation of children’s achievements, through the support of charities within the wider community and we give thanks to God through prayers and hymns and we encourage the need to thank one another.

E.G. discuss with the children what they have to be thankful for, songs of thankfulness and praise, Jesus gave thanks to God (Matthew 11.25), sharing gospels shows Jesus reliance upon God – reflection of Paul who encourages us to ‘be thankful’ (Colossians 3:15), to ‘give thanks in all circumstances’ (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and says that our lives should ‘overflow with thankfulness’ (Colossians 2:7) – class prayers