“Encourage one another and build each other up.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11

At Witheridge C of E Academy, our vision is rooted in the Bible and shapes who we are as a school community.

Our vision, “Encourage one another and build each other up,” comes from Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul reminds the Christian community of their shared hope in Christ and encourages them to live out their faith by supporting one another. He calls them to strengthen each other, particularly when life is difficult, to be patient with one another, to help those who are struggling and to seek one another’s good.

The words “encourage” and “build each other up” therefore mean much more than simply being kind or saying something positive. They describe a way of living together: strengthening one another, helping one another to flourish, standing alongside one another through difficulties and encouraging each other to grow in faith, hope and love.

This is at the heart of what we want our school community to be.

We believe that every child and every adult is valued and has the potential to flourish. We want our school to be a place where people feel known, valued and supported; where successes are celebrated, difficulties are shared and nobody is left to face challenges alone.

For our children, this means encouraging them to persevere when learning is difficult, helping them to develop positive friendships, celebrating their achievements and teaching them to notice when someone else needs support. It means helping children to become not only successful learners, but also compassionate, courageous and thoughtful people who encourage and build up those around them.

For our staff, it means creating a culture where we support one another, recognise each other’s strengths, share the challenges of school life and celebrate each other’s successes. We seek to model for our children the kind of community that Paul describes in his letter: one where people look beyond themselves and actively seek the wellbeing of others.

Our vision also shapes the way we work with families and the wider community. We want to build strong relationships, listen to one another, offer support when it is needed and work together in the best interests of our children.

“Encourage one another and build each other up” is therefore much more than a statement on our website or a phrase displayed around school. It is our understanding of how a Christian community should live.

Every day, in big ways and small, we have opportunities to live out our vision — through a kind word, a helping hand, a moment of patience, celebrating someone else’s success, supporting someone through a difficult time or simply reminding someone that they are not alone.

This is the story of our vision, and it is a story that continues to be written every day by the children, staff, families and wider community of Witheridge C of E Academy.

Together, we encourage one another and build each other up.