Our Village Church School: A Personal Reflection
Langley Fitzurse School strikes me as being quite remarkable as a Church School. It is the ethos and ‘family’ feel that really chimed with me. I believe the school to have an actively caring culture, typified by the friendly demeanour of both staff and children.
Simply watching the way that the school community interacts with one another demonstrates this. I am impressed by the initiative and flexibility of the staff, who are readily helpful, adaptable and encouraging. There is a calm expectation of work, attitude and behaviour that is lived out by the whole school community, which seeks to grow and flourish together. I sense an atmosphere of hope and positivity which is modelled by the staff and ‘rubs off’ on the children. This culture truly lives out what a Church School should be. The Sense of ‘Life in all its fullness’ (John 10:10) is palpable. I am also reminded of Deuteronomy 30:19, where Moses, having set out the path God wants his people to follow, charges them to choose life.
It is, perhaps, tricky to prove visually what a good Church School is. Seeing a crucifix or scenes from the Bible in every classroom, along with the Lord’s Prayer being daily rehearsed by rote is not, to my mind, living out the way of Christ. It is far more important to think out what Jesus means when he answered the Question, “And who is my neighbour?” (Luke 10:25). The parable of the good Samaritan is an excellent choice for a Langley Fitzurse to adopt as its key Bible story, for it contains much challenge as well as agape love being demonstrated, with its overtones of sacrificial service. Investing in the staff is wonderful to see.
Knowing that the school staff are undertaking valuable continuing professional development is heartening, and this is wise investment in developing and improving this most valuable resource.
I am delighted by the way in which the church family at St. Peters wish to engage with and support their local church school and would be delighted to see this relationship grow and flourish further. There is much goodwill within the parish church, village community and school that could blossom and develop further.
Richard Priest
Foundation Governor and Parent