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Our Vision

St. Matthew’s, as a ‘gift of God’, aims to serve the community and the common good by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian beliefs and practice.

We offer strong leadership with an approach which provides a broad and balanced curriculum that fosters all elements of children’s growth as learners. This is supported by a strong Christian Vision and an embedded set of Christian values along with a strong Christian character.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” [Matthew 5: 14-16]

'Let your light shine!'

Our Vision for our community is based on Matthew 5. Just as Matthew’s Gospel encourages Christians to act in a way that is different so that God’s light shines out of them, we want our school community to shine their lights' brightly, valuing each individual for the unique skills, knowledge and talents that they have. We hope that God’s light will shine brightly from the St Matthew’s community showing that everyone is truly valued and enabled to flourish.

Our Mission

Is to work to support and ensure all pupils and staff flourish and excel in their aspirations. We value and welcome all God's children to our St Matthew's family.

St Matthew’s C of E Primary and Nursery Academy will put the children at the very heart of what we do.

In the course of their daily work the staff will contribute to the development of our school's Christian vision of, ' Let your light shine!' by:

Actively working towards helping all children flourish.
Providing an effective learning environment at all times, in which each child is encouraged to have high aspirations, take learning risks and make ‘new’ mistakes.
Providing a welcoming, safe and nurturing environment, in which politeness, kindness and mutual respect are fostered and modelled by adults and children alike.
Promoting the language of learning and encouraging children to see themselves as confident, successful learners with high self efficacy.

Our Christian Values

Our Christian Values have been chosen by staff, governors , pupil and parents. We have chosen Love, Forgiveness, Courage, Hope, Trust and Truth. Together they help us to remember to 'Let your light shine!'

Love
Forgiveness
Courage
Hope
Trust
Truth

'Love your neighbour as yourself. ’There is no commandment greater than these.'

Love: Mark 12:31

'Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive others.'

Forgiveness: Colossians 3:13

'Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.'

Courage: Joshua 1:9

'We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.'

Hope: Hebrews 6:19

'Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.'

Trust: Psalm 20:7

‘I am the way, the truth and the life’

Truth: John 14:6

Celebrating success through learning and values certificates;
Creating an open, inclusive ethos where children and adults can be themselves, develop courtesy, respect and tolerance for others;
Promoting mental health and wellbeing through our curriculum as well as using in house and external agency support;
Promoting equality of opportunity outlined in our policies;
Having clear behaviour expectations, where children are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions'
Taking an active interest in our service and more vulnerable families.

to celebrate diversity, different festivals and key celebrations in the year;
to learn about our nation and its heritage, for example Remembrance service;
to learn about Key British leaders, explorers and inventors;
to use of our local area;
to encourage a sense of community and responsibility eg; the local Church, police and fire services;
to learn about cultures and faiths; how are we different from one another, and how we are the same,
to understand Plymouth as part of a global community; learning about and communicating with children from across the world.

enable our children to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence;
enable our children to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England;
encourage our children to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of our Academy and to society more widely;
enable our children to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England;
further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling our children to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures;
encourage respect for other people;
encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England.

We are part of a British society, and it is important to us that children learn the universal principles of:

Self-help
Self-responsibility
Democracy
Equality
Equity
Solidarity
Openness
Honesty
Social responsibility
Caring for others

St Christopher’s Trust’s Definition of Spirituality

Key definition: spirituality can be understood as relational awareness

Spirituality

In line with St Christopher's Trust's definition of spirituality, at St. Matthew's Primary & Nursery Academy we are taking a relational awareness approach to the development of spirituality.
Relational awareness means making connections, drawing comparisons, putting myself in others’ shoes, using emotional intelligence, reflecting on my place in the world

Relationship with myself	Just like we have relationships with others, we also have a relationship with ourselves—how we think, feel, and treat ourselves. Loving Yourself – You are unique, and there is no one else exactly like you! That means you should be kind to yourself, just like you would be to a good friend. Loving yourself is like taking care of a little plant—it helps you grow strong and happy. Listening to Your Heart – Inside you, there is a quiet voice that helps you know what is right and what makes you feel peaceful. When you take time to be still—thinking, breathing, or just feeling grateful—you can hear that voice guiding you and helping your light to shine. Taking Care of Yourself – Your body, mind, and spirit are precious! Eating good food, resting, playing, and learning new things help you stay strong and joyful. Taking care of yourself is like making sure your inner light keeps shining brightly. Feeling Connected to Something Bigger – Sometimes, we feel small in this big world, but we are all connected. Whether it’s through love, nature, kindness, or deep feelings, there is something special inside you that connects to everything around you.
Relationship with others	Imagine life is like a big team, and we are all players on the same team. To win, we have to help, support, and care for each other! Loving Others – God teaches us to love one another. That means being kind, forgiving, and treating others the way we want to be treated. Love is like sunshine—it warms people’s hearts and makes the world brighter. Helping Each Other – We are all different, but that’s a good thing! Some people are great at listening, some are good at sharing, and some are good at cheering others up. When we help each other, we make life more beautiful. Forgiving & Being Patient – Sometimes, people make mistakes, just like we do. When someone upsets us, we can choose to forgive them, just like God forgives us. Forgiving is like cleaning a dirty window—it helps us see clearly again and feel happy inside Respecting Others – We are all special and unique. When we respect and care for others, we let our light shine and show love to the world.
Relationship with the world	Imagine the world is like a big family, and we are all part of it! Everything around us—people, animals, trees, rivers, and the sky—is connected, like pieces of a giant puzzle. When we have a good relationship with the world, we make the world brighter and happier. Caring for Others – We are meant to love and help each other. When we are kind and show respect to our friends, family, and even strangers, we make the world a better place. When we shine our light, others will follow and the light will spread. Caring for Nature – The world is a gift, and we need to take care of it. Just like we clean up our room, we should protect the trees, oceans, and animals. When we take care of the Earth, we show gratitude for the wonderful home God has given us. We must safeguard our wonderful world for the future. Living with Purpose – We all have special gifts inside us! Maybe you’re good at making people smile, helping others, or creating beautiful things. When we use our talents to bring goodness to the world, we are shining our light. Seeing God in Everything – Many people believe that God is present in all things—in the kindness of a friend, the beauty of a sunset, and the love in our hearts. When we treat the world with respect and love, we are honouring God.
Relationship with the beyond, transcendent and God	Think of life like a big adventure. Sometimes, we see and understand everything around us—like our friends, family, school, and nature. But there’s also something bigger, something we can’t always see, but we can feel in our hearts. The Beyond – There is more to life than just what we see. It’s like standing on the shore of a huge ocean—you know there’s more out there, even if you can’t see it all. The Transcendent – This is the part of life that lifts us up, makes us feel awe and wonder. Have you ever looked at the stars and felt amazed? Or listened to music that made you feel something deep inside? That’s transcendence—something bigger than us, reaching beyond everyday life. God – Many people believe that God is the loving Creator of everything. Having a relationship with God means talking to Him (prayer), listening with our hearts, and trying to live with kindness and love. It’s like having a best friend who is always there, even if you can’t see Him. Just like we build friendships by spending time together, we build our relationship with God by praying, thinking about Him, and doing good things for others. When we do this, we feel more connected to the Beyond and the amazing, mysterious beauty of life.