Church School

A Welcoming Church School Community

The Carlton & Faceby and Bilsdale Federation is proud to serve our communities as two Church of England schools. Our Christian foundation shapes the way we learn, work and care for one another, whilst warmly welcoming families of all faiths and those with no faith background.

Our vision is rooted in our belief that every child is unique, valued and loved by God. Through our values of being KIND:

• Kind and accepting
• Independent learners
• Never giving up
• Determined to be our personal best

We encourage children to flourish academically, spiritually, socially and emotionally. Our vision inspires us to create schools where everyone feels safe, respected and able to achieve their full potential. This vision is already central to the federation and is underpinned by the Bible verses from Psalm 145:17 and Luke 2:40.

Our Christian Vision

As a federation, we believe that education should develop the whole child. We strive to nurture:

• Curious minds
• Compassionate hearts
• Strong character
• Respectful relationships
• Courageous learners

Our Christian vision helps children understand their responsibilities towards others and the wider world. We aim to equip pupils with the knowledge, confidence and values they need to make a positive difference in their communities.

Collective Worship

Collective worship is a special and important part of life in our federation. It provides an opportunity for children and adults to come together as a community to reflect, celebrate, learn and be inspired.

Our worship is distinctly Christian in character whilst remaining inclusive and accessible to all. Through stories, music, prayer, reflection and discussion, children explore:

• Christian values and teachings
• Bible stories and their relevance today
• Moral and ethical questions
• Current events and global issues
• Themes of hope, courage, forgiveness, compassion and justice

Collective worship takes place daily and may be led by school staff, members of the clergy, visitors from our local churches, or the children themselves.

Children are encouraged to participate actively through prayer, drama, readings, music and leadership opportunities. Worship provides a meaningful space for spiritual growth while encouraging respect for the beliefs and views of others.

All acts of collective worship in our schools:

• Begin and end with agreed wording
•  Make distinct links to Christian values
•  Use a bell or singing bowl to mark reflection time
• Have the opportunity to sing
•  Have the opportunity to pray

Worship Leaders are part of our Pupil Leadership Team and take an active role in planning and delivering acts of worship at regular points throughout the school year.

Parents have the legal right to withdraw their child from collective worship and should contact the school office if they wish to discuss this.

Spirituality

At Carlton & Faceby and Bilsdale Federation, we believe spirituality is for everyone of any faith or of none. Spirituality is not simply about religion. It is about helping children understand themselves, their relationships with others, the world around them and, for some, their relationship with God.

Within our schools, we define spirituality in the following way:

Spirituality is something we feel, not something we see. It means feeling connected to yourself, to others, and to the world. It’s about noticing amazing moments, asking big questions, and thinking about things bigger than us. Spirituality helps your mind, body, and soul grow so you can live a happy and caring life.

We follow the windows, mirrors and doors approach to spirituality which gives children a framework to be able to talk about spiritual opportunities:

• Windows – Looking out – seeing new perspectives and experiences
• Mirrors – Looking in – reflecting on self and identity
•  Doors – Stepping through – taking action and making choices

When discussing spirituality, we also consider wows, ows and nows:

• Wows - experiencing awe and wonder, things that make us say “Wow!”—like a rainbow, a kind act, or learning something new
• Ows - acknowledging challenges and pain, when things hurt or don’t go as planned. We learn how to care for ourselves and others during these moments
• Nows - living in the present moment, taking time to notice what’s around us and feel calm and thankful.

Throughout the curriculum, collective worship, outdoor learning, Forest School experiences, visits, special events and everyday interactions, children are given opportunities to encounter moments of awe and wonder that help shape their understanding of themselves and the world.

Read more about our approach to spirituality in our policy.

Our Church Partnerships

Our schools enjoy strong links with the local churches that have served our communities for generations. These partnerships enrich children's learning and help strengthen the connection between school, church and community.

Our local parish churches are St Hilda’s in Chop Gate and St Botolph’s in Carlton-in-Cleveland.

Children regularly visit church to:

Celebrate major Christian festivals such as Harvest, Christmas and Easter
Participate in special services
Learn about Christianity within a real place of worship
Strengthen links with the local community
Members of the clergy and church volunteers support school life through collective worship, special events and community activities.

These partnerships help children understand the important role churches play in serving and supporting local communities.