We are an Outstanding Church of England Voluntary Aided School
A voluntary aided school (VA school) is a state-funded school in England and Wales in which a foundation or trust (usually a religious organisation), contributes to building costs and has a substantial influence in the running of the school.
VA schools are paid on a similar basis to other categories of school, but the governing body must usually pay at least 10% of the costs of capital work. Responsibility for work to VA school premises is shared between the school's governing body and the Diocese.
Hathersage St. Michael’s Church of England (Aided) Primary School
We aim to serve our community by providing education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice. We encourage an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith and promote Christian values through the experience we offer to all our pupils in our school family. This should enable them to achieve their full potential in all areas of school life.
Our school aims to provide:
- high quality teaching within a broad, flexible and creative curriculum;
- a wealth of experiences, both in and out of the curriculum, that enhance the pupils’ development of independence, health, personal & enterprise skills;
- a safe and caring environment where we respect each other;
- a climate in which everyone, pupils and staff, has a commitment to do their best;
- aspiration, praise and encouragement for all;
- a cheerful, friendly and enjoyable atmosphere;
- an inclusive approach, enabling every child to progress in all aspects of school life;
- a Christian example, where we respect and value both ourselves and others;
- opportunities to discover more about British values, different faiths and cultures.
Based on Christian values we want the children to:
- reach their full potential in all aspects of their learning and development;
- be at the centre of our caring school community;
- be prepared for life after school and their emerging involvement in the local and wider community;
- work together and co-operate for the benefit of everyone;
- behave well and become role models for each other;
- look after our school and the environment;
- be challenged and have fun.
We aspire to be an outstanding school
Learning Laughing Living
Spirituality
Spirituality is something that touches us all. It is a connection to something that is bigger than ourselves. It is about awe and wonder, asking ultimate questions and being inspired to look beyond ourselves and serve and care for others and nature. It is about relationships, including the internal relationship within ourselves, and external relationships with one another and from a Christian perspective with God.
We have created a Spiritual Garden in which pupils and staff can spend time to contemplate and reflect. Pupil comments include the following:
“I loved it, it made me feel happy”
“I like to use it; it makes me feel calmer”
“I use the space to think about other people”
“I made a little flower decoration to remember my granny”
“I said a little prayer for my cat”
“I saw a dead bird on the way to school. I found a feather in the grass and put that in the garden to remember the bird in heaven.”
“Yeah, I’ve added a pebble. I put it in the shell”
“I needed some quiet time”
“I was sad, I wanted a quiet space. It made me feel better”
“It is lovely, I like to sit on the bench and think”
Our Policies
Hathersage Collective Worship Policy 24
Hathersage Spirituality Statement
Please also see our Religious Education Curriculum Page
Collective Worship - please see our Collective Worship Page
We hold a daily Collective Worship which may be in the school hall, in our classroom, outside, in the Parish church or in the Methodist church. Our Collective Worship is led by our Collective Worship monitors in Year 5, by our Headteacher, our teachers, our vicar, our Methodist Minister or by visitors. We celebrate our Good News every Friday.
Our Church and Community
We regularly fundraise for charities and others all over the world. We support our church community by providing displays and decorations e.g art modelled poppies and angels for the Patronal Festival.
Seeing Creation
A community exhibition inspired by Creation on display in Hathersage Parish Church.
Bell Ringing
Year 6 pupils were delighted to walk up to our parish church on the afternoon of Thursday, 3rd February to learn about the church bells. The tower contains a ring of six bells with the oldest dating from ca.1520. In three informative and interactive sessions the children found out about the parts of the bells, how they’re rung and for which occasions, the conducting of call changes and, most exciting of all, had the opportunity to climb right up to the bell chamber to see the bells and to learn more about their structure.
It was a really informative and educational afternoon and our pupils asked questions which incorporated a wide range of subjects ranging from geography and maths to engineering and physics! The session was rounded off by watching and hearing a bell being rung. Above all, there was a great deal of laughter whilst learning – an excellent combination!
Our thanks go to Cheryl Harman for inviting us and for giving up her time to lead one of the sessions alongside Ross Finbow and Andrew Knight. Thanks also to Longshaw’s ‘buddy’ governor, Kay Furness, who joined in the fun.
Courageous Advocacy - please also see our Courageaous Advocacy Page
We regularly support projects and charities to support children to understand that the world can be changed, to improve outcomes for all and fulfil our Christian values. The children often suggest their own ideas to support their passions and interests e.g. support for disaster zones around the world, Harvest, Water Aid, Sports Relief, Comic Relief and Christian Aid. This was our latest whole school event:
National Day of Reflection 23.3.21
Each class across the school spent time thinking about the impact of Covid 19 on themselves, their family, our school family and the wider community. Each pupil has tied a yellow piece of wool to our hedge to remind us all as we walk in and out of school of our hopes for the future.
Our Rainbow Peace Tree for the People of Ukraine
We have created a ‘Rainbow Peace Tree’ in the school grounds from which we are flying the Ukrainian flag and a message of Hope from each class in school.
We have asked the children and their families to write their own messages of Hope, Peace or Compassion or a Prayer onto a disused CD, which we have hung from our tree and which has created a rainbow effect when reflecting the light.
Messages include: Save Ukraine, Peace begins with a smile, Peace cannot be kept by force, it can only be achieved by understanding, Don’t let anybody destroy your inner peace.
Thank you for your kindness, we have raised £286.50 All donations will go to Save the Children’s Ukraine Crisis Appeal.
Pupil comments include: ‘It’s such a lovely idea and it really makes you think about the people of Ukraine.’ Alfie.
‘It really makes you think about how much the people in Ukraine need our help.’ Daniel.
‘Seeing the tree really makes me think about the people in Ukraine and empathise with them.’ Tom.
Delphie and Elliot really wanted to help children affected by the war in Ukraine too. They also did something amazing by walking from their home to the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Manchester over two days raising a whopping £2, 620 for Save the Children’s Ukraine Appeal. Well done to both of you, what a wobbly legged achievement!
Easter
At Hathersage St. Michael's, we celebrate together as staff, children, friends and families a large number of significant Christian events and services both in school and at our church. Our children experience a wide range of Christian festivals including; Harvest, Remembrance Sunday, Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Easter and Pentecost.