At East Bergholt CEVC Primary School, our partnership with St Mary’s Church, East Bergholt and the Diocese is central to who we are. As a Church of England Voluntary Controlled school, our Christian vision underpins daily life and decision-making and our relationship with the parish strengthens and sustains that vision.

We work in close collaboration with Reverend Chris, Simon Rothwell (our foundation governor) and the Diocese to ensure that our Christian foundation is both theologically rooted and lived out in practice.

Collective Worship

Our partnership enriches collective worship in meaningful and regular ways:

• Reverend Chris, Ruth Bull (church elder) and Nick Pavitt (Church elder) lead worship regularly and contribute to major Christian festivals

• Pupils visit St Mary’s Church for key services such as Harvest, Christmas and Easter

• Pupils take active roles in prayer and lead prayer at the beginning and end of Collective Worship

• Pupils write prayers for Collective Worship which are added to the school’s Prayer Tree and then preserved in the school’s Prayer Book as a record of our shared spiritual journey.

• Faith Councillors lead Collective Worship at least once a month

• Worship themes reflect our Christian values of perseverance, courage, trust, truthfulness, generosity, compassion, forgiveness, service, respect, justice and thankfulness

Through this shared worship life, pupils develop spiritually and grow in understanding of Christian belief and practice.

Religious Education

Our strong church partnership supports high-quality Religious Education:

• Ongoing collaboration with Diocesan Schools’ Advisers Rachel Cutts and Victoria Bush

• Our RE curriculum is based on The Emmanuel Project, produced by the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich. This high-quality resource supports rigorous and engaging primary RE teaching

• Opportunities for pupils to engage with Reverend Chris within RE lessons

• Space for children to explore “big questions” and reflect on belief, meaning and purpose

This partnership ensures that RE is carefully sequenced, theologically informed and academically rigorous, enabling pupils to engage deeply with Christianity as a living faith while also developing respect and understanding for other world views.

Community and Service

As part of the East Bergholt community, we see ourselves as serving others:

• Participation in community and church events

• The Faith Council lead fundraising for Christmas boxes for Moldovan children

• Opportunities for pupils to demonstrate compassion and service in practical ways

• Support for families at times of celebration and challenge

Our church partnership helps us model service, generosity and justice in action.

Governance and Leadership

Our Christian foundation informs leadership at every level:

• Foundation Governor Simon Rothwell plays an active role in safeguarding and developing the school’s Christian character

• Regular professional dialogue between the Headteacher and Reverend Chris

• Strategic development shaped by our Christian vision

• Diocesan support for RE, worship and leadership development

Together, we work to ensure that all members of our school community flourish.

Impact of Our Church Partnership

Our partnership with St Mary’s Church strengthens our ability to nurture courageous, compassionate and reflective individuals. Pupils speak confidently about our Christian values and understand how they shape behaviour, relationships and decision-making. Faith Council members demonstrate growing confidence in leadership through planning and leading worship. Staff benefit from diocesan support and theological development, ensuring that our vision remains active, rooted and lived out daily.

Through this strong and reciprocal partnership, our school community is supported to flourish spiritually, academically and personally.