An Overview of High Coniscliffe as a Church of England School
High Coniscliffe CE Primary School is distinguished by its Christian foundation and the principles that flow from this. The school is committed to developing the full potential of its pupils as individuals – spiritually, emotionally and academically. Spiritual development forms an integral part of school life and collective worship is an essential part of the school day.
In our school, we exist for the benefit of, and to serve, our children and our community. We exert no pressure to believe, yet Christian values are built into our vision, ethos and teaching whilst respecting other world faiths. Our school follows this to forge strong links between school, home and the local community. We aim to display a high quality of care and understanding to the school community.
Recognising its historic foundation, the school will preserve and develop the religious character in accordance with the principles of the Church at parish and diocesan level. The school aims to serve its community by providing education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice. It encourages an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith and promotes Christian values through the experience it offers all its pupils.
Our Vision
Exploring, Growing, Leading – Together We Flourish. At High Coniscliffe CE Primary School we are committed to nurturing a love for learning, perseverance, and faith in our children. Our motto, “I can if I try,” encourages children to believe in their abilities and strive toward success, no matter the challenges they face.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13
Our school motto links explicitly with our Christian vision for school. Rooted in Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” – our vision inspires all members of our school community to strive for their best, supported by our ethos of love, hope, and perseverance.
For those who share the Christian faith, the vision offers an opportunity to connect with the deeper spiritual message of Philippians 4:13. For others, the message can be interpreted as a reminder that inner strength, courage, and support from a caring community are the foundation for overcoming challenges and achieving aspirations. Our vision encourages children to explore big questions, develop moral and ethical reasoning, and grow in confidence to express their ideas and respect those of others.
In living out our vision, we celebrate diversity, foster inclusion, and encourage every child to flourish as part of a loving and supportive school family. We aim to equip all children with the skills, knowledge, and values they need to grow into compassionate, thoughtful, and active citizens, ready to make a positive difference in the world.
Like explorers setting sail on unchartered waters, we encourage our children to embark fearlessly on their educational journey, equipped with a sense of exploration, perseverance, leadership, service, faith and community. To help children embrace this vision, each class reflects a theme inspired by exploration and discovery:
- Explorers: Encouraging curiosity and a passion for discovering new things.
- Adventurers: Fostering bravery and excitement for tackling new challenges.
- Voyagers: Inspiring resilience and determination to reach personal goals.
- Pioneers: Celebrating creativity, leadership, and innovation.
We value the close partnerships that we have with our parents/carers, local community and wider stakeholders. Working together, we aim for our children to grow into confident, resilient learners who approach life with faith, courage, and the belief that they can achieve great things.
Our School and Trust Vision Alignment
Our school vision, with its focus on perseverance, exploration, bravery, determination, and creativity is about empowering everyone to live lives that reflect the abundance promised in John 10:10—a life full of learning, growth, resilience, and the pursuit of greater things, grounded in faith and trust in God’s strength. The school and Trust vision align as follows:
| Living Life to the Fullest (John 10:10) | Faith and Perseverance |
| The vision encourages children to embrace the fullness of life by actively engaging in learning, trying new things, and stepping out of their comfort zones. By being explorers, adventurers, voyagers, and pioneers, children are encouraged to embrace all that life offers—its challenges, joys, and possibilities—just as Jesus came to offer us an abundant life. | The school’s motto, “I can if I try,” reflects a belief in the potential for growth and achievement, even in adversity. John 10:10 speaks to the fullness of life found through Jesus, which empowers believers to face life with courage and persistence, knowing that they have been given the strength to overcome challenges. |
| The Abundant Life of Exploration and Creativity | Building Strong, Resilient Individuals |
| The themes of exploration and creativity in our school vision reflect the idea of living a full life, where children are encouraged to discover their talents, explore new possibilities, and pursue their dreams with faith. Jesus calls us to a life of rich experiences, and part of that richness involves venturing beyond the familiar, as our school encourages. | The school’s focus on trying and overcoming challenges, learning from setbacks, and supporting one another reflects how abundant life is built on relationships, growth, and resilience. John 10:10 is about more than just physical life; it’s about a thriving spiritual, emotional, and intellectual life—one where children understand their potential and live with purpose. |
| Leading and Inspiring Others | |
| As pioneers and leaders, children are encouraged to share their gifts and insights, contributing to the well-being and growth of others. This aligns with the idea of living life in abundance—finding fulfilment not just in personal achievements but in how we impact and serve others. |
Our Mixed-Age Classes
The mixed-age classroom structure of our school complements our school’s vision by fostering an environment where exploration, perseverance, leadership, and community thrive. It encourages children to support one another, take initiative, and work through challenges together, aligning with the school’s focus on personal growth, holistic development, and the belief that everyone can succeed if they try. By nurturing a sense of collaboration and providing opportunities for leadership and mentorship, the mixed-age setting strengthens the vision of creating confident, capable, and compassionate learners.
| Exploration and Adventure | Perseverance and Growth |
| The idea of Explorers, Adventurers, Voyagers, and Pioneers evokes a sense of discovery, adventure, and stepping out of one’s comfort zone. In a mixed-age classroom: Explorers (EYFS and Y1) can learn from older peers how to approach new concepts and challenges. Adventurers (Year 2 and 3) gain confidence as they face more complex tasks, supported by their older classmates who have navigated similar challenges. Voyagers (Year 4 and 5) can dive deeper into their learning with a broader perspective, engaging with both younger and older children in collaborative and exploratory ways. Pioneers (Year 6) are given opportunities to lead, challenge themselves, and refine their leadership skills as they mentor younger children throughout school. This collaboration across age groups nurtures curiosity and inspires children to embark on their own learning adventures, embracing the school’s focus on exploring the world and discovering new ideas. | The vision of “I can if I try” is about encouraging children to overcome obstacles and strive for their best. In a mixed-age classroom: Older children learn resilience and patience as they help younger children, which deepens their own perseverance. Younger children observe and learn from the perseverance and work ethic of their older peers, seeing that effort leads to growth and success. By interacting with both older and younger children, everyone has opportunities to grow in perseverance, understanding that challenges are part of the learning process. The mixed-age approach helps embed the idea that growth comes from continuous effort and learning from those around you, aligning with the vision of persevering through challenges. |
| Collaboration and Community | Leadership and Empowerment |
| One of the key values in our school’s vision is building a strong community. A mixed-age classroom naturally promotes collaboration: Children from different ages can learn how to support one another, building a sense of unity and teamwork. The older children take on leadership roles, helping to foster a supportive atmosphere where everyone feels valued. The younger children, in turn, contribute fresh perspectives and enthusiasm, helping create a balanced and inclusive environment. This collaborative spirit strengthens the school’s vision of fostering a caring and interconnected community, where children not only grow individually but also help each other thrive. | In the Pioneers class (Year 6), the vision emphasises leadership, and the mixed-age structure supports this by providing opportunities for older children to mentor and guide their younger peers. Through this process: Pioneers have the opportunity to model leadership, responsibility, and decision-making, reinforcing the school’s focus on nurturing future leaders. Younger children witness leadership in action and learn from the behaviours and skills demonstrated by the older children. By empowering older children to take on leadership roles and involving them in mentoring younger peers, the mixed-age classroom supports the vision of creating a generation of leaders who understand the importance of service and responsibility. |
| Personalised and Holistic Development | Confidence and Empowerment |
| The school’s vision encourages personal growth and holistic development. A mixed-age classroom allows for: Tailored learning: Teachers can differentiate their instruction to meet the varying needs and abilities of children across ages, fostering an environment where every child can grow and thrive. Holistic development: Children develop not just academically but socially, emotionally, and spiritually, as they engage with peers at different stages of growth. This personalised approach supports the vision of nurturing the whole child, allowing them to develop in all areas of their lives, both individually and as part of a community. | The vision emphasises a positive and growth mindset— “I can if I try.” In a mixed-age classroom: Older children gain confidence through the responsibility of helping others, which reinforces their belief in their own abilities. Younger children gain confidence through the support and encouragement of older peers, as well as by witnessing the successes of those around them. The mixed-age setting encourages everyone to believe in their potential, reinforcing the message that with effort and collaboration, all children can succeed. |
Learning Behaviours and Qualities
The qualities and behaviours which align with each of our classes reflect the developmental stages of the children as they grow from curious and independent learners as ‘Explorers‘ to confident, reflective leaders as ‘Pioneers’. Each class’s name and qualities build upon each other as children move through their primary education journey, encouraging them to embody values like curiosity, resilience, collaboration, leadership, and critical thinking.
Reception and Year One
Year Two and Year Three
Year Four and Year Five
Year Six
