Relationship with the Church

Relationship with the Church

In July 2016, the Church of England published its ‘Vision for Education’. This vision is not simply for Church schools but, recognising the Church of England’s involvement in education over many centuries, seeks to promote educational excellence everywhere, for everyone.

At Torre, the deeply Christian foundation for this vision will be seen explicitly in teaching and learning both in RWE and across the curriculum, and also in the authentically Christian worship and ethos of the school. The vision embraces the spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional, moral and social development of all our children. The Church of England offers a vision of human flourishing for all, one that embraces excellence and academic rigour, but sets them in a wider framework. This is worked out theologically and educationally through four basic elements which permeate the vision for education:

Wisdom

Hope

Community

Dignity

Torre’s own vision ‘We live life in all its fullness’ has been created in alignment with the Church of England’s Vision for Education’ and from our desire for us to enable human flourishing for all.

Within the context of the Christian faith, we aspire to nurture the spiritual dimension in our children. We embed Christian values at the heart of school life. This is reflected in the behaviour, attitude and performance of learners and staff alike. Teachers “go the extra mile” on behalf of others.

At Torre, Christian Values underpin our ethos and vision for our school. Our RE curriculum is two thirds Christianity. We use the ‘Understanding Christianity’ materials to support our teaching. The other religions studied are Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. Studying Humanism is also included in the RE curriculum.

Collective Worship is based on Imaginor’s “Roots and Fruits” programme. There is a School Eucharist each month where a focus class is invited to take part in the Eucharist and/or receive a blessing from the Priest.

We have strong links with our Parish Church All Saints, Torre and the Vicar is in school regularly. We also have several trips to the Church every year. We were involved in starting up a Messy Church in partnership with the Church in 2018 and this is available to families during every school holiday period.

We also have excellent links with St. John’s Church, Shiphay and Central Church,Torquay. An Open The Book team visit fortnightly (when available) to engage the children in “hands on” collective worship.

The local ‘ICE Torbay Bringing Faith to Life’ organisation run an extra-curricular club in the school.

Five ‘Transforming Lives for Good’ coaches from local churches come into school weekly to support five identified pupils on a 1:1 basis.

The Linx Christian Youth Trust has led a 6 week training programme and trained 12 of our pupils to become peer listeners and problem solvers.