Green Lane Church of England Primary School has the highest educational aspirations for each and every learner. We combine academic excellence with a caring, nurturing environment that sees our pupils achieve exceptional results. We are more than just a school, we are a family and happiness is our number one priority. In our school everyone succeeds, we ensure that each and every one of our learners leaves our school ready to carry on their educational journey with the highest levels of attainment and with the highest of respect for their friends, their peers, their teachers and their community.
Here education is about more than just academic achievement; it is about developing young people who can flourish in all areas of their lives developing the intellectual, spiritual, moral and physical attributes, becoming proud and respectful members of our community.
At Green Lane Church of England Primary School we listen to one another and recognise each other’s worth (even when we occasionally disagree!). ‘British Values’ teach that tolerance is essential in our society, reflecting the Archbishop of Canterbury’s encouragement to be honest, loving and faithful. Seven core Christian values underpin the life of the school, they are:
Caring – we look after each other, our school and our town
The Gospels offer us numerous examples of Jesus having compassion for those around him. The centrality of care for our neighbour is best expressed in Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10.29-37)
The Gospels offer us numerous examples of Jesus having compassion for those around him. The centrality of care for our neighbour is best expressed in Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10.29-37)
29But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ 30Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” 36Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ 37He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’
In the apostle Paul’s writing the supremacy of love in a community appears in the well-known ‘Hymn to love’ often heard at wedding ceremonies. I Corinthians 13.4-8 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant 5or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth. 7It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
Respectful – we show each other good manners
We show our care for one another through good manners, humility and generosity. All members of our community deserve respect in that all members of our community reflect God’s presence to us. Our respect for one another also extends to our care for belongings, the school, our community and environment. Philippians 2. 3-4 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.
Forgiving – we show compassion to one another
Forgiveness is central to any understanding of the Christian faith. Forgiveness does not ignore or minimise wrongdoing; rather it is a costly way of overcoming its destructive capacity to destroy relationships. Forgiveness offers us all a ‘second chance’ and the possibility of hope.
Luke 6.37 ‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you.
Luke 11.4 And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
Galatians 6.1 My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.
Ephesians 4.32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Colossians 3.13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Honest – we tell the truth
Truthfulness and openness are essential for a community to flourish. They are best nurtured in adults and children where there is an atmosphere of care, understanding and support.
Philippians 4.8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Ephesians 4.25 Putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbours, for we are members of one another.
Nurturing – we build each other up to achieve our full potential
Each one of us is different. Each of us has different gifts. A healthy community enables those gifts to flourish and serve others. Jesus uses the image of tending a vine to speak of how we are enabled to flourish and live fruitful lives. We need loving guidance and care to reach our potential.
John 15.1-4 Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. 2He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. 3You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you.
I Corinthians 12. 4 -7Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
Inspiring – we look up to each other with love and kindness
Human beings are all made ‘in the image of God’ (Genesis 1.27). This high calling sets before us all the possibility of ‘being the best we can be’.
The Christian vision for the world is of creation made new. As the Lord’s Prayer states, God’s Kingdom coming ‘on earth as in heaven’. All people are invited to work for the coming of this kingdom. We aim to equip our children to change the world, with Jesus as our example.
Hebrews 12.1-2 Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Philippians 4.13 I can do all things through him (Jesus) who strengthens me.
Inclusive – we value everyone
Every child needs to know that they belong. In the Gospel story Jesus is frequently portrayed as someone who made room for those who had been excluded by society or who had little power in the culture of his day: women, children, those with both physical and mental illness or disability, foreigners, the poor. He saw love for God and love for neighbour as the greatest commandment of all.
Mark 12. 28-34 One of the scribes asked Jesus, ‘Which commandment is the first of all?’ 29Jesus answered, ‘The first is, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” 31The second is this, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’
Romans 15.7 Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
If you are considering joining us please contact the school and arrange a visit.
