Christian Distinctiveness

Christian Distinctiveness

Beechcroft St Paul’s is a Christian school, with a vision, Soaring with Compassion, which is rooted in part of the letter St Paul sent to the  Philippians in Philippians 2: 1 - 4

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,  not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

As a church school, we are committed to encouraging the exploration of the Christian faith and values, while being open and welcoming to other faiths, beliefs and values. We maintain strong links with our parish church, St Paul’s, with worship led weekly by Father Gregory. 

This year, we are looking forward to returning to St Paul’s to worship and have planned an annual series of visits in line with the church year to further develop our connection. This year, we will be holding Eucharist services to mark Advent and Lent as well as services for harvest, Christmas, Easter and to celebrate the end of the school year. St Paul’s is a vital link in the life of Beechcroft as a church school and we look forward to returning as a school community.

This year, further links with the church have been created as we seek to develop a ‘St Paul’s Choir’, initially held at Beechroft but with the intention of moving to rehearse at St Paul’s Church. The choir, which is open to children in KS2, is run by Lizzie Peacock, an experienced church choir leader from another local church, who has been leading singing worship for KS2 this term.

We have been lucky enough to work with Project Touchline over the last half term, an organisation which pioneers and transforms Christian Values education through PE/Sport and Collective Worship. Each week, the children have taken part in a Collective Worship focussing on one of our school values of HOPE, RESPECT and WISDOM which is then embedded through fantastic rugby sessions, where well chosen games help the children to live out the values in action. 

One of the most special aspects of Project Touchline has been the lunchtime prayer club, where KS2 children have been able to join Mr Andrew for a prayer session. We are delighted that our governors will be continuing this after Mr Andrews finishes.