Bishop Martin Church of England Primary School
Ethos and Values 2026-27
Our Christian Vision and values are at the core of everything we do. They underpin our school vision which is:
Our Christian Vision
Learning Together, In God's Love
At Bishop Martin, we INSPIRE and empower all members of our school community, providing the knowledge to enable everyone to thrive and flourish. Guided by our Christian Values, we are all determined to serve and lead the diverse world we live in treating everyone with compassion, dignity and respect. With hope and aspiration we will encourage all to grow and believe that
“…with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26
Ethos Statement
Recognising its historic foundation, our school will preserve and develop its religious character in accordance with the principles of the Church of England and in partnership with the Church at both a parish and diocesan level.
Our school aims to serve its community by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice. We encourage an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith and promote Christian values through the experience we offer to all our pupils.
Our Christian Values
These values are clear in everything we do and how we operate. They reflect the core ideology of our school and do not change over time. The person you are is an expression of these values. They determine how you think and what you do. They shape your purpose and determine your vision. They establish your character and are hugely important to who you are. Values are what we live, breathe and these are reflected in our day-to-day activities.
These are our values for 2026/2027
Thankfulness
We recognise God's goodness in our lives and respond with grateful hearts for the blessings, opportunities and people he has given us.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
(Psalm 107:1)
Spiritual: We thank God for his love, guidance and provision, recognising that every good gift comes from him and drawing closer to him through gratitude.
Moral: We choose to appreciate what we have rather than focus on what we lack, showing gratitude through our words, attitudes and actions.
Social: We strengthen relationships when we express thanks, value the contributions of others and show appreciation for acts of kindness.
Cultural: We learn about and celebrate the different ways people and communities express gratitude through traditions, celebrations and acts of generosity.
Trust
We place our trust in God and seek to be trustworthy in all that we do, building strong relationships based on honesty, reliability and faithfulness.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
(Proverbs 3:5)
Spiritual: We trust God's plans and purposes for our lives, knowing that he is faithful and always with us.
Moral: We act with integrity, keep our promises and make choices that help others know they can depend on us.
Social: Trust helps us build positive relationships where people feel safe, respected and valued.
Cultural: We recognise that trust is important in every community and culture, helping people work together and live peacefully.
Perseverance
We keep going when things are difficult, trusting that with God's help we can overcome challenges, learn from mistakes and grow in character.
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
(Hebrews 12:1)
Spiritual: We trust God's strength to help us through challenges and remain faithful even when life is difficult.
Moral: We develop resilience and determination, learning not to give up when faced with setbacks or obstacles.
Social: Perseverance helps us support and encourage one another, celebrating effort and progress as well as achievement.
Cultural: We learn from stories of perseverance across different cultures and communities, recognising how determination has shaped individuals and societies.
Justice
We believe that everyone is made in the image of God and deserves to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect.
“Act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
(Micah 6:8)
Spiritual: We seek to reflect God's justice by standing up for what is right and showing compassion to those who are vulnerable.
Moral: We make fair and responsible choices, recognising the difference between right and wrong and taking responsibility for our actions.
Social: We work to create a community where everyone is included, respected and treated fairly.
Cultural: We value the diversity of God's world and seek to challenge prejudice, inequality and discrimination wherever we encounter it.
Service
We follow the example of Jesus by serving others with humility, kindness and love, putting the needs of others before our own.
“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.”
(Mark 10:43)
Spiritual: We serve others as an expression of God's love, following the example of Jesus who came to serve, not to be served.
Moral: We show responsibility and compassion by helping others and looking for ways to make a positive difference.
Social: Service strengthens our community as we work together, support one another and contribute to the common good.
Cultural: We celebrate the many ways people serve their communities and recognise the value of volunteering, charity and acts of kindness around the world.
Truthfulness
We value honesty and integrity, seeking to be truthful in our words, actions and relationships as we follow God's example.
“Speak the truth in love.”
(Ephesians 4:15)
Spiritual: We seek God's truth through faith, prayer and learning, trusting his word to guide our lives.
Moral: We choose honesty even when it is difficult, taking responsibility for our actions and acting with integrity.
Social: Truthfulness builds trust and respect, helping relationships and communities to flourish.
Cultural: We recognise the importance of truth, honesty and integrity across different cultures, beliefs and traditions, and value respectful dialogue with others.
Please find a link here LDST vision and values
www.ldst.org.uk/our-visions-and-values/