Our Christian Foundation - What Makes us Unique?

Our School Vision is rooted in our children and wider community.

Our school was founded by the Watling Valley Ecumenical Partnership of 5 churches and opened in September 2004. The school was built on the land that was formerly Grange Farm, and members of the local congregation still recall farming on this land, prior to the school being built.  You can find out more about the partnership here.

As an Ecumenical school we have strong links and a firm foundation with both the Methodist Schools services: https://www.methodistschools.org.uk/about-us/about-us    and the Church of England Education office: https://www.churchofengland.org/about/education-and-schools   We are part of the Oxford Diocese, https://www.odbe.org.uk/ 

Our school is the good ground that allows all who come into contact with it to grow well. Its seeds (the pupils, staff, and community) are given a rich diet to thrive into the best ‘plant’ possible. Our seeds are cared for during all ‘seasons’, given support and protection when it is needed and encouragement to flourish. The resultant plants are strong and resilient, able to live peacefully and joyfully with those around them. The rich harvest is the end result of this labour for pupils, staff and the community – the brightest of futures for us all.

Therefore, our vision directly links to the land upon which the school was built. We are literally planted into the rich soil of the community that we serve. Our Christian vision is the principle that underpins our work with our students, to support them to grow and develop into young people who can lead lives of value.

Our vision drives and shapes everything that we do. Our school culture and ethos are underpinned by our comprehensive understanding of our own children.  We know that when our children join us, they need help to believe in their god-given potential, and have their eyes awakened to the wonder and awe in the world. Many of our children have not enjoyed wider cultural experiences within their own lives, and lack spoken language skills, vocabulary, and the ability to make links between their own home and culture and the one that they find in school and in the wider world.  Our Care curriculum, underpinned by our vision and values, provide that rich soil for our children to flourish in all possible ways.

We also know that our community is full of richness and diversity, and it is essential that this can enrich our culture, curriculum and daily life – so that all members of our school community are able to flourish and develop into their own unique potential. We have ensured that our CARE curriculum is enhanced by this diversity, by ensuring that all children are able to see themselves reflected in it. We see diversity within our school and the local community as a gift, which reflects God’s gift of diversity in creation.

See the driver documents for more information about how we have woven CARE, SMSC, Enrichment and Culture into our CARE Cultural curriculum. See here on website.

Our Curriculum and Pedagogy are inspired and driven by our vision.

Jesus sows seed freely – Equal Opportunity

In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus describes how his love is offered freely and without prejudice.  Our Admissions Policy seeks to include rather than discriminate, and to offer a Christian education to all.  Christ the Sower is a hugely diverse community with children from a wide range of cultures, religious beliefs, individual needs and varied social advantages.  We are proud of all our children and believe in the power of each child to achieve their fullest potential.

Children are challenged to achieve their full potential, working in cooperation with fellow students and staff, regardless of prior attainment.  Children are nourished where necessary through skilful teaching and access to a range of adaptive teaching techniques; this enables students to thrive in often diverse and surprising ways.  Children with SEN are exceptionally well cared for and nurtured; they demonstrate strong progress.  All children are helped to be the best they can be regardless of social, financial, or academic advantage.

Nurturing Seeds – Change Makers

Difference is made through change and action, and it is rooted in the healthy, caring relationships between staff and students.  Jesus tells us that the Sower spreads the seed as widely as possible, and our school seeks to spread Christ’s message of love and wisdom.  Children at CTS are nurtured, challenged, and encouraged to engage with issues that affect our school, community, and planet.  Children are ready to make a difference; their commitment is deep-rooted.  Our ‘CARE Cultural curriculum’ is broad, balanced, and challenging.  Children are encouraged to reflect on things that need to improve and are challenged to play their part in effecting change.  From improving behaviour at playtime to fighting climate change, children believe they can make a difference.  Jesus asks us not to be passive before the problems of the world. As one of us, he seeks to work with the children of the world to sow the seeds of change throughout the world.

Cherishing Growth – Sustainable Goals

With care and cooperation, the seeds sown by the Sower grow into plants that sustain and feed the world.  When the UN published the charter on a sustainable future, it was meant to be acted upon.  The Parable of the Sower is a call to action, and it reminds us that the world supports our life, and our care is urgently needed to protect and restore it.  Regardless of faith, our children are determined to be the best they can be and play their part in this urgent task.  We have signed the ODBST Green charter, and our ECO warriors are very active in school, bringing about change in the way that we care for our planet. Sustainability is also woven through the CARE Curriculum here.  

Bearing fruit and flourishing – towards a Growth mindset

Growth and development are at the heart of the Parable of the Sower. But Jesus challenges and guides, rather than dictates what we do in life: he offers possibilities and hope.  He issues a challenge to acknowledge our personal responsibility for our own growth.  The children at Christ the Sower demonstrate this sense of personal accountability and are guided to take responsibility for their own learning.   To encourage progress, there is a relentless focus on effort rather than achievement.  Children are encouraged to take risks and they understand that to fail is simply a ‘First Attempt in Learning’.  Through CARE, children are taught to reflect on themselves as learners and on any mistakes that they make. ‘Assessment for Learning’ is exemplified in our teaching policies and underpins academic, spiritual, and personal development.