Church School
At Bitterne Church of England Primary School, we are proud to be a part of the Church of England community. We are a community school, guided by the values of love, trust, and forgiveness, which are at the core of our ethos and shape our interactions with children, staff, and families.
We are affiliated with the Diocese of Winchester, which provides us with guidance, support, and resources to ensure that our school's Christian character is upheld and celebrated. We work closely with the Diocese to maintain our strong connection to the wider Christian community.
We undergo regular inspections by SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools). These inspections help us to ensure that we are fulfilling our mission and living up to the high standards set by the Church of England. We welcome these inspections as an opportunity for reflection and improvement, and we are proud of the positive outcomes we have achieved in previous inspections.
As a school, we value our strong partnership with our local parish church, Holy Saviour Church. Reverand Tony Palmer visits our school weekly to lead Collective Worship as well as being part of our Governing Body.
Our Trust Deed
Our Trust Deed, dated 2014, following the amalgamation of the infant and junior school into Bitterne Church of England Primary School, clarifies our Christian foundation:
Recognising its historic foundation, the school will preserve and develop its religious character in accordance with the principles of the Church at parish and diocesan level. The school aims to serve its community by providing education of the highest quality within the context of Christian beliefs and practice. It encourages an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith and promotes Christian values through the experience it offers all its pupils.
The Terms of Union below outline the aims for the Headteacher and Governing Body in leading the school.
Collective Worship
We believe in the power of Collective Worship as a means to bring our school community together and reflect on our shared values. Through collective worship, we aim to foster a sense of unity, gratitude, and spiritual growth among our children.
Collective Worship is a central part of our school day, where we come together as a community to reflect, pray, and celebrate our shared beliefs. Led by our Headteacher, staff and Reverand Tony Palmer, our worships provide opportunities for children to explore the school's Christian values of love, trust, and forgiveness.
Through a range of activities, including hymns, Bible readings, stories and reflective discussions, we encourage our pupils to develop a deeper understanding of the Christian faith and its relevance to their lives. These sessions also allow us to celebrate the achievements of our children and strengthen the bonds within our school family.
Church Visits - Holy Saviour
In addition to our daily collective worship, we hold regular church services at our local parish church, Holy Saviour.
The children celebrate the Christian special events of Harvest Festival, Christmas and Easter at Holy Saviour Church which are led in collaboration of Reverand Tony Palmer and the church community.
Year 6 children attend the Winchester Diocesan Leavers' Service at Winchester Cathedral each July. They also help our reverend, to lead a Leavers' Service at Holy Saviour Church to which their families are invited to celebrate their time and achievements at our school.
These special events enable our pupils to participate in traditional Anglican worship and connect with the wider church community.