Vision & Ethos

Looking for the perfect start to your child's school journey in September 2026? Come and see the difference at St Mary Redcliffe Primary. Join us for one of our warm and welcoming open days. We'd love to meet you!

- Tuesday 14th October at 1.30 -2.15pm

- Wednesday 5th November at 9.15-10am

- Wednesday 19th November at 9.15 -10am

Vision Statement

Our vision statement and our values are at the heart of all our decisions. As a culturally diverse school, we embrace all religions whilst having Christianity at our core.

Psalm 1:3 (Good News Bible) ‘They are like trees that grow beside a stream, they flourish in everything they do.

At St Mary Redcliffe CE Primary School, we are a vibrant, inclusive community 'Rooted in Love'. Our nurturing, spiritually-grounded approach empowers every pupil to flourish, growing intellectually, personally and in their faith. Inspired by our school motto, 'Rooted in Love', we cultivate an environment of hope, empathy, aspiration and respect, where all can feel truly valued and reach their full potential. As an integral part of our local community, we are committed to developing well-rounded, thoughtful citizens who will make a positive difference in the world. Rooted in a nurturing approach, we are dedicated to enabling all children to thrive and succeed, regardless of their starting point. 

"Our school is a place of hope, where every child is valued and empowered to reach their full potential."

Vision and Values

The school's vision, "Rooted in Love" is based on Psalm 1:3 'They are like trees that grow beside a stream...they flourish in everything they do', and encapsulates our commitment to nurturing every child's potential. Through offering engaging and rich experiences for their age and stage, we want children to be ready for the next step in their learning journey, making a positive contribution to the communities they live in.

This vision is underpinned by our core values:

  1. Hope: We inspire our learners to dream big and believe in their ability to achieve their goals. Inspiring a sense of optimism and belief in the possibility of a brighter future for all.
  2. Empathy: We foster a culture of understanding, where children learn to walk in one another's shoes and show compassion. Cultivating the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. 

  3. Aspirations: We have high aspirations for the children and they in turn have high aspirations for themselves. Make a better future for themselves- determine their own destiny.

  4. Respect: We teach our learners to treat themselves, others, and the world around them with dignity and care. Showing mutual respect for all.
  5. Thankfulness: We encourage an attitude of gratitude, helping children to appreciate the blessings in their lives and the contributions of those around them.
  6. Selflessness: We inspire our community to look beyond their own needs and work together for the greater good. 

Educational Approach

At St Mary Redcliffe Primary School, we believe that every child has the right to thrive. Our nurturing approach, combined with high academic expectations, is designed to support children in developing the knowledge, skills, and resilience they need to succeed in their learning and make a positive contribution to their communities.

"We are committed to ensuring that all our learners are ready for the next stage of their education and for the challenges and joys of adult life."

Through our holistic, values-driven curriculum, we empower children to develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. We provide targeted support for those with learning, emotional or behavioural needs, ensuring that they are equipped to overcome challenges and reach their full potential.

Ethos in Action

Our ethos is evident in every aspect of school life. In the classroom, you'll see children working and learning together respectfully, celebrating each other's successes, and demonstrating a genuine love of learning. On the playground, learners can be found playing inclusively, resolving conflicts with empathy, and looking out for one another.

Our behaviour policy is informed by our values and our positive reward system celebrates our values in action.

Beyond the school gates, our community outreach initiatives foster a spirit of thankfulness and selflessness. Learners regularly engage in volunteering projects, fundraising for local charities, and participating in community events that showcase their talents and commitment to making a difference.

Through our collective worship, we invite people from the community and charities to teach us about other ways how we can make a difference.

Through our interactions, we build trusting relationships with children, parents and each other.

At St Mary Redcliffe Primary School, our ethos is not just a set of words on a page – it is a living, breathing part of our daily lives, shaping the hearts and minds of our children and inspiring them to become the compassionate, resilient, and successful individuals they are destined to be. 

 

 

Developing Spirituality through Mirrors, Windows and Doors 

  • At our school, we are Rooted in Love – a love that shapes how we see ourselves, others and the wider world. Inspired by the words of Psalm 1:3 “They are like streams that flow beside a river, they flourish in everything they do,” we believe that when children are deeply rooted in spiritual growth and supported by strong values, they flourish in all aspects of life. The Mirrors, Windows and Doors approach helps us to nurture this flourishing by developing children's spirituality in a way that deeply connects with our Christian vision and values. 

  • Mirrors give children the chance to reflect on their own identity, experiences and feelings. This supports aspiration as they recognise their unique worth and potential, and thankfulness as they grow in appreciation for their own journey. 

  • Windows offer glimpses into the lives and beliefs of others, encouraging empathy and respect. Children learn to see the world through different eyes, building understanding and compassion in a diverse community. 

  • Doors invite children to respond – to act, change, and grow. This develops hope as they imagine a better future, and selflessness as they choose to serve others and make a positive difference. 

Through this approach, children are gently guided to explore big questions, deepen their sense of meaning and purpose, and grow spiritually in a loving and supportive environment. 

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Last year we proudly recieved 'The National Nurturing Schools Award'. 

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In July 2022 the school recieved the renewal for the School of Sanctuary Award. Click here to find out more about this

Church of England's Vision for Education

" A good education must promote life in all its fullness"

We seek to promote educational excellence everywhere, for everyone. In our schools, the Christian foundation can be seen explicitly in the teaching and learning of RE, the wider curriculum, in our collective worship and ethos of the schools. Our vision embraces the spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional, moral and social development of children and young people. 

There are four basic elements to our approach that together form the ecology of the 'fullness of life'. 

They are: 

  • Educating for Wisdom, Knowledge and Skills: we aim to develop the whole child, the confidence to seek truth and the skills to live a full and happy life. To nurture academic habits,  develop emotional intelligence and creativity across all subjects. 
  • Educating for Hope and Aspiration: we aim to guide children in directions of Hope and Aspiration, to support them when things go wrong, to give them the resources for healing and repair. To learn to foster compassion, generosity and trust in the face of despair, hardship and mistrust. To believe in their abilities and for them to believe in their full potential. 
  • Educating for Community and Living Well Together: to understand human connections, develop relationships and commitments with each other, the wider community and beyond. To actively participate in communities, to develop the qualities of character that allow children and community members to flourish together. 
  • Educating for Dignity and Respect: to instil the basic principle of Respect, respect for each other and our connections to the world around us, to anchor our belief that every person has value. To find the dignity to stand strong and tall in the face of adversity, in taking a stand for your beliefs without closing your mind off to other opinions and our treatment of each other is a reflection of that dignity and respect.

Contact Us

Happy to answer any questions

If you require paper copies of any information from the website please contact the school office. 

Sorry there is no parking at school on Windmill Close. Please park safely on local roads; Whitehouse Street and other near by roads are for permit holders only.  

Parking around Victoria Park is best; it is only a quick walk through the park to the front of school. 

Address

  • Windmill Close Windmill Hill Bristol BS3 4DP

Telephone Number