Mark 4: 30-32
"What shall we say the Kingdom of God is like?" asked Jesus. "What parable shall we use to explain it? It is like this. A man takes a mustard seed, the smallest seed in the world, and plants it in the ground. After a while it grows up and becomes the biggest of all plants. It puts out such large branches that the birds come and make their nests in its shade."
Then Jesus said, ‘How can I show you what the kingdom of God is like? What parable can I use to explain it? The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. The mustard seed is the smallest seed you can plant in the ground. But when you plant this seed, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants. It produces large branches. Even the wild birds can make nests in it and be protected from the sun.’
A man takes a mustard seed and sows it in his field.
With our caring and nurturing ethos firmly embedded in all that we do, every member who joins our school whether child or adult, like the small mustard seed, is tended to so that they grow and flourish in its broadest sense—academically, socially, morally, physically and spiritually.
It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it grows up it is the biggest of all plants.
The ethos of the school and the actions of the school community enable children and adults to grow in confidence, to develop a wide range of skills, knowledge and understanding and to be aware of their own and others’ needs, which prepares them for and interests them in the modern world.
It becomes a tree, so that birds come and make their nests in its branches.
Through their thorough and rich grounding, our children are equipped to be respectful citizens and make valuable contributions to the communities they will serve in the future.
Through our Christian vision our pupils develop a sense of:
Belonging to themselves, their families, their school, their community and to God.
Believing in themselves and in each other.
Becoming well-rounded individuals who achieve the best for themselves and for wider society
Belonging:
- to themselves and each other in mutual support, respect and trust
- to the community of St. John’s Church of England Academy
- to the Diocese of Gloucester as part of an Academy Trust
- to the world in which we live, caring for the whole of creation regardless of race, religion or background
Believing
- in our own gifts and talents, unique and individual
- in our potential to be challenged and nurtured to be the best we can be
- in our spirituality and guided by Christian faith, ethos and values
Becoming
- responsible, productive and a force for good
- ready to change and challenge the world around us
- aware of our vocation, with a growing sense of purpose and preference
- well-rounded and self-aware through a broad, balanced education