Red Hill CE Primary and St Martin’s Church, London Road, Worcester have received a silver Church and School Partnership Award. It was presented to them by Archdeacon Mark and Diocesan Director of Education, Tim Reid in a special service in the church.
The Church and School Partnership Awards celebrate the relationship between school and the local church and the impact that it has on the flourishing of the whole community. They aim to encourage school and church to look at all the things they currently to do support one another as one community. There are three different levels of accreditation – bronze, silver and gold.
Headteacher, Jolanda Simmonds said: “We are delighted and proud to have had our close community and church links recognised. This award celebrates the work that we are doing together to help our amazing children to flourish in line with our school vision of keeping Jesus as our aspiration.”
Members of St Martin’s Church regularly go into the school to offer collective worship and support delivery of the curriculum. The school also come into church for the major festivals including Harvest, Easter and a Christmas carol concert, and year groups visit church to explore it as part of their RE studies.
St Martin’s Churchwarden, Angela Dale, said: “There has been a long-established relationship between the school and the church, but it’s been beautiful to see the activities we do together increasing. Having the school come into the church really brings it to life and it’s always a joy to be present when the children are here. Having a closer relationship with the school has also impacted on our relationship with the community with around 100 people attending our recent harvest craft event!”
The service to present the award was led by the school with the Revd Richard Wood offering a reflection on the theme of friendship and thanksgiving, and Children and Families Worker, Debra Hill doing a reading.
Ahead of the service there was piano music played by different pupils before all were welcomed by headteacher Jolanda. Aida from Year 1 lit the candles for the service with a prayer and Nina from Year 3 ended the service by blowing out the candles. Alfie from Year 6 accompanied the school on the piano as they sang ‘Thank you Lord for this New Day’ and ‘Water of Life’.
The awards were presented by our Director of Education Tim Reid and Diocesan Education Adviser, Duncan Hutchison. Archdeacon Mark congratulated both the school and the church on the achievement saying how special it was to be among the first 10 schools in the Diocese to achieve an Award, particularly to be awarded silver.