A Safe Branch from which to Soar

At Shap Endowed CE Primary School, we want every child and adult to know that they belong, are valued and can flourish.

Our Christian vision is:

With children and the church at the heart of our school, we are living in harmony within our community; nurturing one another to create an environment from which all can soar.

Our strapline sums this up simply:

Shap School – A Safe Branch from which to Soar!

Our vision is rooted in Christian teaching:

John 15:5 – The vine and the branches reminds us of connection, relationship and belonging.

Romans 12:16 – “Live in harmony with one another” teaches us to listen, respect difference and repair relationships when things go wrong.

Psalm 91:4 – Shelter beneath God's wings reflects our commitment to providing safety, nurture and belonging.

Isaiah 40:31 – “They will soar on wings like eagles” inspires our hope that everyone can grow, develop their gifts and flourish.

Our logo brings these ideas together through the child, tree, cross and soaring eagle.

Ofsted recognised this in 2024:

The school’s mission to provide pupils with ‘a safe branch from which to soar’ is brought to life by all in the school and its wider community

What does “All Can Soar” mean?

Soaring will not look the same for everybody. Children have different strengths, needs, experiences and starting points, and some will need different support or opportunities to flourish.

Our vision continually challenges us to ask:

Who might not be soaring yet – and what can we do to help? 

At Shap, belonging comes first. We help children learn, make good choices, repair relationships, recognise their strengths and grow.

 

Our Christian Values

Our six Christian values help us live out our vision:

Friendship • Trust • Peace • Koinonia • Compassion • Creation

Children explore these through Worship Time, curriculum learning, relationships and the everyday life of our school. We want children not simply to know our values, but to understand what they look like in action.

 

Vision & Values Week

Every September begins with our whole-school Vision & Values Week, when children and adults revisit what our vision means and how we want to live and learn together.

Through Worship Time, art, music, discussion and collaborative projects, children explore the vision creatively. They also apply for pupil leadership roles including Worship Council, School Council,             Eco-Warriors, Reading Champions and Play Leaders.

Over the years our children have worked with artists and musicians to create songs, artwork and other interpretations of our vision – including our newest Vision Song with Ruth Lyon and our 2026 class-mountain artwork with Andi Taylor from NISCU.

 

Growing Spiritually

Our Sacred Pathways approach helps children recognise that people experience spirituality in different ways – through nature and beauty, relationships, thinking and questioning, stillness, helping others, seeking justice, music and celebration.

We explore these opportunities through Worship Time and across our curriculum, helping children to wonder, reflect and respond.

 

Living Our Vision

Our Christian vision isn't simply something written on our website or displayed on a wall.

We see it in how we treat one another, how we respond when things go wrong, how we welcome difference, how we care for our community and creation, and how we make sure every child has the opportunity to flourish.

Shap Endowed CE Primary School – a safe branch from which to soar.