"In God's family learning, loving, growing to be our very best."
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10
Welcome to Tanworth-in-Arden Church of England Primary School and Nursery. We hope you will get a good feel for the character and Christian distinctiveness of our school as soon as you step through our door. I am proud to be Headteacher of such a wonderful school, a school that is at the heart of the community directly next door to the Church St Mary Magdalene. Mr Philip Jones, ex-headteacher of Tanworth, once said to me 'at Tanworth it is as if God puts his arms around you as soon as you step through the door'.
At Tanworth our mission is simply to take the children by the hand and invite them to join us on the journey, working in close partnership with our neighbouring church and vicar, as together we all discover our own spirituality and for some Christian spirituality. We promise also to help nurture those of other faiths and to give a creative space for those of no faith to explore our distinctive beliefs.
At Tanworth the teachers, leaders, Governors, learning assistants, office staff, site team, parents and of course our children have an important role to play in making our school a place where Christian love and commitment is expressed in everyday life.
THIS HALF TERM'S VALUE
Please find the home-school newsletter for 'Compassion', along with our poster and quotes sheet for this half term's value:
Home School Values Newsletter for this half term
OUR VALUES & HOW WE EXPLORE THEM
Our key values, linked to the Church of England's vision, are
'Hope, Dignity, Community and Wisdom'.
We have fourteen other Christian values which flow from our main four:
To support us in our whole school collective worship, we use a resource called 'Roots and Fruits' designed to support 'whole school' worship, which is rooted in Bible teaching. This focuses on our value for the half term. In addition we link our Open the Book stories in school and church to the value too.
KS1 - Children in KS1 have two Key Stage assemblies each half term, focused on the value, using 'Oscar in the box' which allow them to explore the value further at an age appropriate level with an owl puppet called Oscar.
KS2 - Children in KS2 reflect 3 times a half term on the value and use a reflective journal to think about when they see others showing the value, when they see themselves showing it and how they can take their learning from the value forward in their lives.
At the end of each half term, class teachers have the task of choosing a child who consistently shows the value. They are then celebrated in church in a special 'Values Recognition Assembly' and invited to share drinks and cake with their family.
RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOU AT HOME
These are a mixture of resources from school, church and some which are from the new Church of England support called Faith at Home. Some are support for during periods of lockdown and others you may find useful at all times.
The Blessing Song for Paul
We are recording a special version of the blessing song for Paul, the Vicar as our way of saying goodbye and good luck to him as he leaves the parish and the school. If you would like to be a part of the video and you are happy that the video will be on the school’s website and Facebook page, then please follow the instructions below. All videos need to be in before 3:30pm on Monday 8th February.
(Please record as a family with brothers and sisters together, rather than individual videos for each child.)
Messages for Paul
If you would like to send a message for Paul too, we are collating these in landscape format to be put into a pdf for him. It could be a picture, writing or even a photo with a speech bubble, however you want to say goodbye and good luck! These can be sent to the school email address tanworthschool@welearn365.com. Some may appear on the video too.
The Blessing song with permission from the artist, Sammy Horner.
The Blessing - audio file
Recommended App - The Guardians of Ancora
This is a free app, run in conjunction with Scripture Union, which allows children (aimed at 8-11) to take part in a game-based Bible story quest.
To find out more please follow this link: https://guardiansofancora.com/
Colourings
Please find some inspirational bible quotes that will support and guide in anxious times. These are in the form of colourings that can be completed and displayed. If you colour one in,why not send a picture to the school email address and we can put some up on the website?
CHURCH ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES
Many thanks to Rachel and the church for the following resources which you can do at home.
To our latest singing assemblies, please visit the video resource centre by clicking on the link below:
A big thank you to Mr Linsey and his family, who have brought our singing assemblies to you at home by recording some songs for you. Enjoy and don't forget to sing and join in with the actions!
Please also look at the links to other songs at the bottom of the page from other websites and those which the children in Rock & Worship are learning too!
Fischy Music
Please follow the link below to Fischy Music here, for some free songs: https://www.fischytunes.com/
Out of the Ark online songs for free.
Out of the Ark have put up a daily song and access to other songs for you to enjoy. Please follow the link below.
ROCK & WORSHIP
Please click below to find the latest songs from Rachel.
Prayer Spaces - Activities
Prayer Spaces have a variety of prayer activities you can use which can be accessed here:
The Digital Family Prayer Adventure Map
To find out more and find links for downloading this interactive prayer experience, then follow this link:
https://www.thykingdomcome.global/resources/digital-family-prayer-adventure-map
Prayers from the Church of England to say and share with children
An idea for how to pray at the end of the day, using your 5 fingers
Little Ones : God's Creation
This video has Mary Tipping and Rachel Rollason telling the story of creation for children with some songs from Paul and Alison Cudby
SPCK are sharing 'Bedtime Bible Stories' through Faith@home.
Please find them at their Youtube channel here:
Please find some of our Open The Book assemblies we have recorded for you during lockdown.
Bob Hartman, the author of the stories from Open the Book is sharing stories online. Please follow the link to find them:
We have joined with many Church of England Schools around the country to record the song 'Looking to the Rainbow', which has been especially written as part of the 'Faith at Home' initiative.
Our Tanworth Talk Podcast is a weekly assembly brought to you by a different teacher. Click below to listen to the latest edition...
If you are in Years 3-6 and have access to the blog, there is a Tanworth Talk Blog Page. Why not add a comment about what you are thankful for and what you want to hear about on some of the next podcasts?
Please follow the link below to the latest virtual assembly from Picture News.
For further information and support, why not follow the link to the Church of England's 'Faith at Home' site?
COLLECTIVE ACTS OF WORSHIP
Collective Acts of Worship are an important part of our life here at Tanworth. Please click below to find out more and see what happens.
Content Pending
Although we usually sing a song in each of our Collective Acts of Worship, roughly every 3 weeks, we are lucky to have Mr Linsey come and share some modern worship songs with us on the screen. You can see how much the children enjoy it!
Please find below some of the recent songs that we have been learning:
One of our favourite songs is 'The Blessing' which we sometimes sing as a blessing as we leave assembly.
OPEN THE BOOK
Open the book is the name of a drama-based resource which gives the children an opportunity to hear and take part in key Bible stories. These are told in sequence, around a theme to allow the children and adults to explore key Christian concepts and values.
Performance of the stories as part of church services and Collective Act of Worship happen each week and alternate between the Church team with a class from school and the teachers.
We hold 'Special Services' throughout the year to celebrate and remember key Christian festivals. The children from a class lead the worship on these occasions.
Year 3 - Christmas Service
Year 4 - Harvest Service
Year 5 - Easter Service
Year 6 - Leavers' Service
We also take part in services on Remembrance Day and Ash Wednesday.
We enjoy having visitors to our school and learning about and from others. We also hold our own assemblies linked to different themes and causes to share important news and views.
Hope & Kindness
Judi from Hope and Kindness came to see us and shared news of the charity we support and the work it is doing in Kenya, helping to educate children, like Caroline and Dancun, who we sponsor and write to.
UNDERSTANDING CHRISTIANITY
As part of our RE Curriculum and interweaved into our school life, is the Understanding Christianity Resource, which allows us all to explore the key concepts of Christianity and to understand the timeline of the Christian story. It is used within our RE teaching and also referenced as part of our Collective Act of Worship. To find out more about Understanding Christianity and view some of our interpretation, then please click below.
The key purpose is to support pupils in developing their understanding of Christianity, as a contribution to their understanding of the world and their own experience within it.
It does this by integrating pupils’ developing understanding of significant theological concepts in Christianity with their own self-understanding and understanding of the world, as part of their wider religious literacy.
The aims of Understanding Christianity are:
- To enable pupils to know about and understand Christianity as a living world faith, by exploring core theological concepts
- To enable pupils to develop knowledge and skills in making sense of biblical texts and understanding their impact in the lives of Christians
- To develop pupils’ abilities to connect, critically reflect upon, evaluate and apply their learning to their own growing understanding of religion and belief (particularly Christianity), of themselves, the world and human experience.
Inspired by the 'Big Frieze' Bible timeline, originally created by Emma Yarlett for Understanding Christianity, we have been creating our own, which is on display in the school. The individual pieces were created by the children in year groups and bubbles during 2020.
Please click below to find out about each part of the Christian Story:
The Creation: Christians believe the universe and human life are God’s good creation. Christians believe the universe and human life are God’s good creation. Humans are made in the image of God.
The Fall: Humans have a tendency to go their own way rather than keep their place in relation to their creator. This attitude is called sin, and Genesis 3 gives an account of this rebellion, popularly called ‘the Fall’. This describes a catastrophic separation between God and humans, between humans and each other, and between humans and the environment. This idea that humans are ‘fallen’ and in need of rescue (or salvation) sets out the root cause of many problems for humanity.
The People of God: The Old Testament tells the story of God’s plan to reverse the impact of the Fall, to save humanity. It involves choosing a people who will model a restored relationship with God, who will attract all other people back to God. The Bible narrative includes the ups and downs of this plan, including the message of the prophets who tried to persuade people to stick with God. The plan appears to end in failure with the people of God exiled, and then returning, awaiting a ‘messiah’ – a rescuer.
Incarnation: The New Testament presents Jesus as the answer: the Messiah and Saviour, who will repair the effects of sin and the Fall and offer a way for humans to be at one with God again. Incarnation means that Jesus is God in the flesh, and that, in Jesus, God came to live amongst humans.
Gospel: Christians believe Jesus’ incarnation is ‘good news’ for all people. (‘Gospel’ means ‘good news’.) His life, teaching and ministry embody what it is like to be one of the People of God, what it means to live in relationship with God. Jesus’ example and teaching emphasise loving one’s neighbour – particularly the weak and vulnerable – as part of loving God.
Salvation: Jesus’ death and resurrection effect the rescue or salvation of humans. He opens the way back to God. Christians believe that through Jesus, sin is dealt with, forgiveness offered, and the relationship between God and humans is restored.
The Kingdom of God: This does not mean that no one sins any more! The Bible talks in terms of God’s ‘Kingdom’ having begun in human hearts through Jesus. The idea of the ‘Kingdom of God’ reflects God’s ideal for human life in the world – a vision of life lived in the way God intended for human beings. Christians look forward to a time when God’s rule is fulfilled at some future point, in a restored, transformed heaven and earth. Meanwhile, they seek to live this attractive life as in God’s Kingdom, following Jesus’ example, inspired and empowered by God’s Spirit.
CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES LINKED TO OUR FAITH
We have a number of clubs and groups in school which give children the opportunity to explore and extend their faith, while having fun. Please click to find out more.
We meet every Thursday lunchtime to discuss Prayer and Worship around the school. We decide how to make it better for other children experience God in our school.
We get involved in many things including:
- Improving the prayer garden
- Suggesting ideas for prayer in the school
- Running prayer activities
- Leading the start of worship (Year 6 Leaders)
- Making notes and evaluating about our assemblies and acts of worship
- Choosing and leading prayers in our church services
Content Pending
Please see some of our recent work around Remembrance.
Rock and Worship is our fun singing group who meet weekly to learn new worship songs and then perform and lead singing in some assemblies.
Please find below some of the latest songs from Rachel and links to Christmas songs at the bottom of the page.
Nothing's Too Big
Song: Doug Horley
Duggie Dug Dug - Hey Diddle Diddle (Official Video)
Taken from the DVD 'Funky Action Songs DVD Volume 4'.
God Can Do Anything
Motions for Duggie Dug's "God Can Do Anything"
Lovely Jubbly ~ Doug Horley ~ lyric video
God Loves Me (Doug Horley) - Kids Worship - Lyric Video
God loves me
Thankful | Roar VBS | Group Publishing
Every Move I Make | Dance-A-Long with Lyrics | Kids Worship
"This Little Light Of Mine"
Peace Like A River (Kids praise and worship)
Christmas Songs
Duggie Dug Dug - All the Angels Sing (Official Video)
Go Tell it On the Mountain with lyrics | Christmas Gospel Song & Carol
Boney M. - Mary's Boy Child (Lyrics)
Well done to all the children who submitted their entries to the Lego and Minecraft Bible Story Competition. They were all fabulous entries.
The winners were:
Flo V (Infants) for her Lego model of 'Jonah and the whale'
Oliver and Chloe A (Juniors) for their Minecraft representation of the story of 'The Widow's Offering'
Please see all the fabulous creations below!
PRAYER AT TANWORTH
We feel that it is important for children's spiritual and mental wellbeing to be able to reflect and pray. We have a prayer garden outside and a prayer and reflection area in the foyer, so that children can choose how and when they wish to engage in prayer. Our Prayer & Worship Leaders are responsible for the the prayers which have been written in classroom prayer boxes and read some of these out in our collective acts of worship. Please click below to find out more...
Content Pending
LINKS WITH AND SUPPORT FOR OTHERS
BECAUSE OF OUR FAITH
We have the following links with schools, charities and countries as we learn more about others around us and how we can support others who need our help:
Since the establishment of the partnership in 1966, the Anglican Church in Malawi and in Birmingham has developed a mission relationship, seeking to support each other in the work of God in our own contexts.
Our church, St Mary Magdalene is involved in the relationship and we have supported them in providing some fundraising and items to be sent to support our friends in Malawi. We have also learnt about the country and the challenges that the people who live there have faced through natural disasters and have compared the daily school life there with that of our own school in our Africa Day and through a service lead by a local vicar who had just returned from an exchange visit.
In 2019 we were able to hold a special assembly with Agnes Mkoko from South Lunzu in Malawi. She was able to share with us and answer questions about life in the area.
We are currently fundraising as a school to twin our toilets with some in Malawi.
In 2019 we joined the 'Faith Forum' which linked our school with St George's C of E School in Ladywood.
Children from Year 2 and Year 5 have worked with classes at St George's on joint activities and have visited each other's schools to learn about each other, our similarities and differences.
Please see below our latest pictures and letter from Caroline and Dancun, who we sponsor in Kenya.
Want to find out more about Hope & Kindness? Why not visit their website?
Content Pending
Content Pending
SIAMS
SIAMS is the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools. The SIAMS inspection focuses on the impact of the Church school's Christian vision on pupils and adults. Please find our most recent report below.
RE CURRICULUM & POLICIES FOR RE
AND COLLECTIVE ACTS OF WORSHIP
You can find further information about our RE Curriculum, exploration of World Faiths and Collective Acts Of Worship, including policies and long term plans by clicking the link below go to the Curriculum part of our website.