Christian Partnerships

Our Partnership with St John the Baptist Church

We enjoy a close relationship with St John the Baptist Church in Staveley, which plays an important role in the spiritual life of our school. Through collective worship, church visits, special services and community events, children are given opportunities to explore faith, reflect on Christian values and develop an understanding of the Christian story.

These experiences help children to appreciate the role of faith within our local community while encouraging respect and understanding for people of all beliefs and backgrounds.

Our Kolkata Partnership

For the past three years, members of staff from Woodthorpe have travelled to Kolkata, India, to work alongside a charity linked to Kolkata Cathedral. During these visits, staff support teaching and learning at Brace Bridge School, which serves children living in some of the most disadvantaged communities in the city.

This partnership provides a unique opportunity for our pupils to develop a deeper understanding of the wider world. Through videos, photographs, assemblies, classroom discussions and first-hand accounts from staff, children at Woodthorpe learn about life in India, explore different cultures and compare their own experiences with those of children living in Kolkata.

The partnership helps children develop empathy, gratitude and a greater appreciation of diversity. It encourages them to reflect on both the similarities and differences that exist across the world and to recognise the importance of supporting and caring for others.

Our Kolkata link strongly reflects our Christian vision, inspired by the words of St Paul:

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up." (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Through learning about the lives, experiences and aspirations of children in Kolkata, our pupils are encouraged to think beyond themselves and consider how they can make a positive difference in the lives of others.

The partnership also embodies our CARE Code:

• Care – understanding and supporting the needs of others.
• Aspire – recognising that every child deserves opportunities to succeed.
• Resilience – learning from the determination and perseverance shown by others.
• Enjoyment – celebrating different cultures, experiences and ways of life.

By fostering global awareness and encouraging children to see themselves as part of a wider community, our Kolkata partnership helps nurture compassionate, informed and responsible citizens who are ready to contribute positively to the world around them.