Our Vision, Ethos & Values

Our School Vision

Every Mind Valued – Every Child Nurtured

At Thorndon Primary School, we are proud to be a nurturing and inclusive community where every child is supported to grow and flourish. Inspired by the Parable of the Mustard Seed (Mark 4:30–34), we believe that even the smallest beginnings can lead to great things. Just as the tiny mustard seed grows into a large tree that offers shelter and safety, we nurture each child’s potential so they can thrive and support others.

Our ethos is rooted in three core values:

• Nurturing – We guide every child with care and compassion, helping them grow academically, emotionally, and spiritually.
• Belonging – Every child is welcomed, valued, and celebrated. We create a safe space where all can take root and thrive.
• Community – Together with families and staff, we build strong, trusting relationships that support every child’s journey.

Through these values, our children grow into confident, resilient individuals who contribute positively to the world around them.

We teach our children God’s love for them and his compassion towards us. We encourage children to demonstrate compassion in their day-to-day lives.

We fully adhere to The Church of England Vision for Education, that “joy in learning is a mark of the good teacher and the well-taught pupil…and any education that does not communicate joy, wonder, amazement, fascination and delight has failed.’ (p12)

We aim to create a warm, stimulating and challenging atmosphere where all children and adults will feel valued and welcomed. Everyone contributes creatively to the life of the school, striving together for improvements. School and home co-operate to foster the development of the children, not only through the curriculum but also through personal and social dimensions.

Curriculum Studies

In their curriculum studies, we endeavour to develop children who:

• have enquiring minds;
• are motivated, aspirational and become increasingly independent learners, taking responsibility for their own learning and actions;
• are aware of their own strengths and weaknesses;
• are reflective, resilient and demonstrate perseverance;
• are happy and confident enough to ask for help, and able to collaborate with others;
• set themselves personal challenges and use their initiative;
• strive for high achievements;
• take pride in the achievements of others.

Personal and Social Development

We aim to provide a happy, secure environment where each child:

• develops academically, physically, emotionally and aesthetically;
• has an opportunity to foster and nurture their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development;
• is aware of our changing world, its diversity of people and the individual contribution made by each and every person;
• understands how to stay safe and be healthy;
• knows how to enjoy and achieve and understands we learn from making mistakes;
• is encouraged to be reflective, respectful and thoughtful;
• is respectful of other’s individuality;
• recognises and respects beliefs of other religions and cultures;
• understands that trust and honesty are built on mutual respect;
• takes responsibility for their immediate surroundings and adopts a caring attitude for the wider environment;
• makes a positive contribution to the school, the local and wider community;
• prepares for and has an appreciation of life in modern Britain.