The Week Ahead weekly newsletter

This week I had a training session on school improvement, where the importance of vision and mission was stressed.

I reflected as I wrote up my response, and am grateful for a team of people who completely understand and live out our vision and mission. It is written on the wall as you enter school, and on posters around the building. You can’t really miss it in its written form, but also it is lived out daily. It underpins all of our major decisions, our recruitment of staff, curriculum, our consideration of visits, residentials, priorities, school improvement plans - the list goes on.

I make no qualms about being a Christian school - it’s there in our name, and it’s important.  We are not just another school, or a cheaper independent option. We are there to live out our vision and mission.

Our mission is to provide a holistic Christian education for all and to inspire discipleship

Our vision is to be a Christian community in which everyone grows in character, faith, knowledge, understanding and wisdom. 

Our vision is based on two Bible verses:

• ‘That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.’ (Psalm 1 v3) 
• ‘Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.’ (Luke 2 v52) 

How do we achieve this?

Faith in Christ - Through sound biblical knowledge and a belief in the power of prayer, BCS provides a discipleship opportunity for students to apply the Word of God to their lives, laying a solid foundation for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Everyone is committed to a lifestyle of lovingly serving others. 

Christian Education - Our curriculum reflects our vision.  We provide a holistic Christian education through passionate and dedicated staff, developing each child’s whole character alongside their academic learning.  BCS students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills to be independent learners. We encourage our students to take ownership of their learning experience.  

Christian Community - Through partnership with parents, churches and the wider community, all BCS students are loved, valued and respected. Each child is accepted, nurtured, challenged and encouraged. They are inspired to discover and develop their unique God-given abilities as they grow in confidence to see themselves the way Christ sees them. 

My prayer for our community, but especially for our year 11 leavers in two weeks, is that these foundations are strong, for their next steps in education. We are praying especially for them. It’s their leaving assembly on Friday 3rd May, and whilst some of them will still be coming in, their official education at BCS is coming to an end.

Year 10 and 11 are a special group for me, as in 2013 I spent six months with them in EYFS, whilst on home assignment from Cambodia. They were the Year 3 and 4 group I taught when I returned to the UK in 2016, my first UK class for more than ten years. They have been joined by other great people, and are a strong group. Our Year 11 AP have been with us since Year 7, and are part of our family there. They have grown in confidence and skills, nurtured by the amazing support team there.

All of our year 11s have indeed been accepted, nurtured, challenged, and encouraged. They all know how Christ sees them, and some have accepted this. They have served others well this year, practically, spiritually, academically and with friendship. Pray for them as they juggle next steps, be it college, school, work or yet unknown.