Lindridge St Lawrence CE Primary School and Lindridge Church in the parish of Teme Valley North are the latest to be awarded a Sliver Church and School Partnership Award. Representatives from both the school and church were presented with the award at a special service in church.
The Church and School Partnership Awards celebrate the relationship between school and the local church and the impact that this 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.
Introducing the service, headteacher Amanda Greenow-Langford, said: “Today is a truly special occasion and this award reflects the incredible work of our children, staff and church partners. When we applied for the award, we shared many of the ways that church and school life are intertwined. Mutual support for each other is at the heart of who we are, and this award is something that we all share together.”
The children themselves spoke about what the partnership means to them, including experience days run by the church in school, celebration assemblies in church and Godly Pray. Reader Mark Wild then helped the children present an Open the Book drama and prayers were also led by the children. The Archdeacon of Worcester, Mark Badger and Diocesan Director of Education, Tim Reid presented the certificates to both the school and the church.
Priest in Charge of Teme Valley North, David Morris said: “It is lovely to have such a close relationship with the school. We enjoy working together and seeing children grow through the things we do. The school’s vision is ‘discovering life in all its fullness’ and our relationship is all about how we take the love of Christ into school and also out into the community.”
Volunteers from church regularly go into Lindridge school, leading collective worship, experience days, Godly Play and Open the Book. The church community uses the school building and grounds, and the school regularly gathers int the church for services and celebrations.
Meryl Roberts is Chair of Governors for the school and also Chairs the PCC. She said: “Working together, we aim to close the gap between school and church. Our church community understands what the children are doing and understands some of the challenges and it’s all about building community. We have recently started inviting some of the children to the mid-week communion which takes place in the village, which has been popular with both the children and the older people who attend.”
Amanda continued: “It’s a really special relationship, which is only possible with a team of people from across both the school and the church meeting regularly. We are now looking ahead to continue our journey and deepen our partnership as we work towards a gold award!”
