• The school has close links with St Matthews and often performs acts of worship in the Church. We are glad to be so close to the Church in every sense.
  The website of the benefice of the parishes of Compton, Hursley and Otterbourne of which St Matthews is part.

Spirituality and Worship
at
Otterbourne Church of England Primary School

Through our collective and class worship we should be helping children to recognise their value and place in God’s World.  In our school we teach this through the framework of Self, Others, Beauty, Beyond and Love. The subject of LOVE should be inherent in all worship, as we help children to develop a love of self, a love of others, a love of beauty (God’s World) and a love of God and what lies beyond their everyday experiences.

Spirituality is the act of being human by discovering and revealing ourselves through love.  We realise this through the personal stories that hold meaning for us and help us to become who we are.  The more that we explore these and therefore journey to this land of the spirit, the more natural it becomes. The stories that we share can be personal experiences that explore a LOVE of SELF or stories that relate to how we engage with OTHERS; stories that speak about BEAUTY and then those that tackle the transcendent questions of meaning and purpose (BEYOND). 

A Framework for Spirituality

SELF – Spiritual learners become increasingly aware of the concept of self – the inner persons and the way that this shapes an individual’s perception of themselves as a unique human being.  Spiritual learners reflect on the relationship that they have with their sense of being a unique person.

OTHERS – Spiritual learners become increasingly aware of the concept of others – a growing empathy, concern and compassion for how to treat others.  Spiritual learners reflect on how their values and principles affect their relationships with others.

BEAUTY – Spiritual learners become increasingly aware of the concept of physical and creative world – a growing relationship with beauty through the ability to respond emotionally to experiences of the wonder of the natural world and the results of human creativity.  Spiritual learners explore their understanding of beauty and the affect this has on their perception of and relationship with the world.

BEYOND – Spiritual learners become increasingly aware of the concept of the beyond – a growing relationship with the transcendental and the ability to explore experiences beyond the everyday.  Spiritual learners search for meaning in their very existence and their place in the greater scheme of things.

The School recently received its statutory SIAMS inspection (January 2020).  The school is delighted to announce that it was categorised as 'Excellent'.  The report is attached below.

What is a Church of England School?

Before the government became involved with providing education for everyone in England- there were church schools and other charitable schools. The majority of church schools were built in the 1800's.
The trust deeds for Otterbourne School says.
      
              " a School for the instruction of children only of the labouring manufacturing and
               other poorer classes in the parish of Otterbourne."

There were two requirements, the first to teach Christianity through "Religious Instruction" and the second to hold a regular act of worship.

When the state became involved with providing mass education, church schools became integrated into the education provided by the state. All these schools are known as maintained schools - they are funded by the state. All maintained schools including the Church school have to teach Religious Education and hold a daily act of worship. So church schools work on the same basis as community schools.

The purpose of a Church of England school is to offer a spiritual dimension to the lives of young people, within the traditions of the Church of England, in an increasingly secular world.

25% of primary schools in England have a Church foundation.

In the Portsmouth and Winchester Diocese there are over 30,000 children being educated in a Church of England school.

What is being added by being a Church of England school?

Church school have Christian beliefs and values at their heart. This means that every child and adult associated with the school is not just important because they are members of the school but because they are seen as unique individuals within God's creation.

Church schools recognise that as well as academic and emotional intelligence human beings also have spiritual intelligence. The spiritual aspects of life will be recognised, and nurtured alongside the academic and emotional needs of all.

Church schools are places where challenge through questioning is encouraged as through this we can make sense of the world, the gift of life and the purpose of our own personal lives.

The purpose of a Church of England school is to offer a spiritual dimension to the lives of young people, within the traditions of the Church of England, in an increasingly secular world.

What differences should you notice?

As a pupil, parent, visitor or member of staff you should find that your church school is as good as any other good school but you should feel that the way the school works is different and distinctive. That distinctive difference will be rooted in Christian values that affect the way everyone is respected.

An Opinion Research Survey in 2008 showed:-

• 79% agree that church school help young people develop a sense of right and wrong
• 75% think that church schools help young people grow into responsible members of society
• 78% agree that church schools promote good behaviour and positive attitudes
• 85% agree that church schools have a caring approach to students.

What else?

Church schools are encouraged to:

• ensure that the school is led by a headteacher who is committed, with the help of staff, to establish and maintain the Christian character of the school in its day to day activities and in the curriculum
• engage meaningfully in a real act of Christian worship every day
• offer a school life that incorporates the values of the Christian faith
• ensure that religious education is given at least 5% of school time and that the character and quality of religious education are a particular concern of the headteacher and the governing body
• observe the major Christian festivals and in schools which other faiths are present ensure that those faiths are able and encouraged to mark their major festivals with integrity
• maintain and develop an active and affirming relationship with a parish church

This information is adapted from a leaflet available from Portsmouth and Winchester Diocesan Board of Education.