WHO WE ARE
Vision & Values
At Clifford All Saints we are a distinctly Christian school but never exclusively Christian – we are welcoming of all children and families regardless of their faith background.
“Clifford All Saints Primary school is a welcoming, inclusive community inspired by the love of God, modelled in Jesus Christ, where we aspire to learn, to serve and to live life to its fullest.”
OUR VISION
IN OUR CHILDREN'S WORDS
“Learning, serving and aspiring together motivated by the love of God."
OUR SCHOOL VALUES
Five values our children can name, explain and live out
Each value has a definition written for children and a Bible story that shows it in action. Open “Why this value” to read the thinking behind it.
Service
“We always put others first. We help one another wherever possible.”
Why this value “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on Earth and in heaven.” Our community is inspired by Jesus, who “touched untouchables with love and washed the guilty clean” and who washed the feet of his disciples. We learn about justice and responsibility, and are inspired to “let your light shine before people” – expressed through care for people and for creation, with a preference for the vulnerable. Matthew 5:16 · John 13
John 13:1–5 — Jesus washes the disciples' feet
Kindness
“We are kind to each other. We are respectful to each other.”
Why this value “God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God.” We take 1 Corinthians 13 as our guide for behaviour – “Love is patient and kind… love never gives up.” We ask the question “Who is my neighbour?”, and through the parable of the Good Samaritan we grow a welcoming, inclusive community of kindness, rooted in the worth of every person. 1 John 4:16 · 1 Corinthians 13:4–8 · Luke 10 · Church of England Vision for Education, p.8
Luke 10:25–37 — The parable of the Good Samaritan
Integrity
“Because it's the right thing to do. We are strong enough to do what we know is right even when no one is watching us. We challenge others who do the wrong thing.”
Why this value We aim for children to be themselves – comfortable and integrated in who they are – rooted in the Christian belief that every person is made in the image of God. We encourage children to discover and enjoy the person they are becoming, and to show personal integrity like Daniel, who kept doing what he knew was right even when others thought differently. 1 John 3:2 · Daniel 6
Daniel 6:4–28 — Daniel and the lions' den
Wisdom
“We work hard and support others to do the same. We value learning opportunities and the chance to acquire knowledge and skills.”
Why this value The Bible sees wisdom as the basis of human flourishing: “Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding” (Proverbs 13:3). We reflect on Jesus' story of the two builders and the need for good foundations, and we guide our children in making wise choices – because seeking and finding wisdom is how learning leads to depth. Proverbs 13:3, 19:8 · Matthew 7:24ff · Church of England Vision for Education, p.8
Matthew 7:24–27 — The Wise and Foolish Builders
Teamwork
“We treat everyone equally and include everyone. We support everyone to achieve.”
Why this value Paul calls on the Thessalonians to “encourage one another and build up each other” – we believe each of us is responsible for building up one another, as in the book of Nehemiah where the people worked together to rebuild Jerusalem's walls. All behaviour is a message, so we approach challenging behaviour with forgiveness and a will to restore relationships. Being the ‘Clifford family’ also commits us to celebrating cultural diversity and challenging anything discriminatory. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 · Nehemiah 3–4 · Church of England Vision for Education
Nehemiah 3:1–4:23 — Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem
COLLECTIVE WORSHIP
Inclusive, Invitational, Inspiring
Worship is a response to the good news we have in Jesus Christ. It is a calm, special time in our day – a chance for reflection, and often for joy and celebration too. Nobody is ever required to pray; everyone is invited to take part in their own way.
Inclusive
Worship is open and fully accessible to all. Many of our pupils and staff come from homes of different faiths and of none, so we make no assumptions about anyone's faith – we give children opportunities to be involved, wherever they are on their own journey.
Invitational
There is no compulsion to ‘do anything’. Pupils and adults are only ever invited to pray, in their own way, and prayer always comes with the option simply to reflect. Our music and liturgy draw on the best of traditional and modern Anglican worship.
Inspiring
We want worship to help children and adults ask big questions about who we are and why we do what we do – and to motivate us to reflect, take action in our community, and become courageous advocates for causes that matter.
A week of worship
Five acts of collective worship each week (the order can vary):
-
Church partnership assembly – planned and led by ministers from our partner churches
-
Whole-school worship
-
Class worship – led by our pupil Worship Council, alternating fortnightly with a senior-leader assembly on topical events and our vision and values
-
Class assembly – engaging with current affairs through Picture News
-
Celebration assembly – led by the senior leadership team
How each act of worship is shaped
1
Welcome
Gather
3
Worship
Respond
2
Word
Listen
4
Witness
Mission
Seasons of the Church year
Our worship spaces change colour with the Church year: green for Ordinary Time, purple for Advent and Lent, white or gold for Christmas, Easter and Christ the King, and red for Pentecost and saints' days.
PRAYER & EVERYDAY FAITH
Our School Prayer
CLIFFORD SCHOOL PRAYER
Lord, bless our school
that working together
and playing together
we may learn to serve you
and to help one another
for Jesus' sake.
Amen
Our lunchtime prayers Before lunch: Thank you God for food and prayer teach us how to love and share Amen Friday lunchtime: God is good to me God is good to me He gives me lips To eat my chips God is good to me Amen
Prayer spaces in every classroom
Every classroom has a prayer space where children can reflect on their own prayers and thoughts, alongside shared reflection spaces around the school.
Worship Council & youth group
Children play an active role in worship, helping to create and lead it in school. We work closely with the children's minister from All Saints Ecclesall, our partner church next door, whose small groups and Christian youth group help young people explore their own faith journey.
A Church of England school in the Diocese of Sheffield