We are very lucky as a church in our connection to the wonderful St Mary’s Primary School, situated just five minutes away on Southam Road. As a Church of England school, it has Christian values rooted in everything it does, from keeping positions for our Vicar and representatives of the local church on its governing body to its daily teaching and way of life. The school has four key Christian values that govern life together there: Truth, Koinonia, Compassion and Endurance. The children take particular delight in knowing a Biblical Greek word that most adults don’t! (In case it’s unfamiliar to you too, koinonia roughly translates as community).

St Mary’s School is one of the most richly diverse schools in the region. Our pupils come from 40 different countries, with 80% of them speaking English as an additional language. I’ve had the chance to lead classes on Pentecost in the school where, to introduce the idea of speaking in tongues, I ask the children to say something in their first language, and it always results in a joyful babble. When we had the asylum hotels in town, many of the children in the school came from asylum-seeking families, and we’re still blessed to have a number of refugee families involved with the school, as pupils, staff and volunteers.

St Mary’s School pupils and staff also face an unusually high level of challenges. Around 40% of our pupils have special educational needs, requiring specialised support to flourish, and over 30% are entitled to free school meals. The staff of the school do amazing work supporting every child, and Serena and I feel very privileged to spend regular time in school each week, feeling the warmth of the community and the depth of care from everyone involved.

We would love for the church to have even more involvement with our school, supporting them in the amazing work they do. They welcome both new volunteers and donations.

Do you have time to spare to go in to school and read with children?
They would love to have you!

Do you have old toys, or things that could become toys, that you’d like to donate?
They’re wonderfully creative, so an old suitcase or piece of exercise equipment is as welcome as a shiny kit!

Do get in touch with Sarah if you’re able to help out in these or any other ways. For working age folk, it could also be great for your CV!

Sarah Cotterill