Being a Church School

At St Francis, our identity as a Church of England school is at the heart of who we are.

Rooted in the Christian faith and guided by our vision — “Together in God’s love, we aspire to be our best” — we seek to nurture a caring, inclusive and aspirational community where every child is valued as unique and made in the image of God.

We are proud to be part of the Church of England family of schools and to work closely with the Diocese of Birmingham. This partnership supports and enriches our practice, helping us to live out our Christian vision in meaningful and authentic ways.

What it means to be a Church School

Being a Church school means that Christian values, teaching and understanding shape the life of our school.

Through this, we aim to provide opportunities for all members of our community — children, staff, families and governors — to:

• experience daily life rooted in Christian love and compassion
• explore spiritual questions and reflect on meaning and purpose
• learn about the life and teachings of Jesus
• engage with the traditions and practices of the Anglican Church

These experiences are offered in a way that is inclusive and respectful of all faiths and worldviews, recognising that our community is diverse and each person’s journey is valued.

Worship and Religious Education

Worship and Religious Education (RE) are central to our Church school identity.

Collective Worship brings our school community together to reflect, pray, sing and consider how our Christian values shape our lives. It is a time to pause and reflect on our relationship with God, with one another and with the wider world.

RE provides pupils with the opportunity to explore Christianity in depth, alongside other world faiths and worldviews. It encourages thoughtful questioning, respectful dialogue and spiritual reflection, helping pupils develop understanding, empathy and curiosity.

Together, Worship and RE help our children to think deeply about life’s big questions and to understand how faith and values can guide the way we live.

Living Out Our Christian Ethos

Our Christian character is not confined to specific lessons or times of worship — it is woven through everything we do.

It shapes our relationships, our behaviour, our learning and our expectations of one another. It is seen in how we care for each other, how we celebrate difference, and how we support one another to grow.

As part of the wider Church of England community, we recognise that education is a gift — one that enables children to flourish academically, socially and spiritually, whatever their background or belief.

Working in Partnership

We value our strong partnership with the Diocese of Birmingham and our local church community. These relationships enrich our worship, support staff development, and help us to continually reflect on and develop our Christian distinctiveness.

Through this shared work, we aim to ensure that our school remains a place where Christian faith is lived out in action, and where every member of our community is encouraged to flourish.