William Cassidi Primary School is a Church of England Primary School. We have a strong working partnership with the Diocese of Newcastle and Durham and the local parish of St John's Church in Stillington Village. The vision of Church Schools is 'Jesus Christ centred and shaped'. Our school vision reflects the Church of England vision statement. Our school vision is theologically rooted in John 10:10, which contrasts Jesus' role as a shepherd, who provides life and abundance with that of a thief who seeks to steal, kill and destroy. The verse is often interpreted as a metaphorical representation of Jesus offering spiritual life and the possibility of a fulfilling relationship with God. In John 10:10 Jesus presents himself as 'The Good Shepherd', who provides for his flock (the people who follow Him). He offers them not just survival but a life in abundance. This suggests a life of purpose, joy and a deep relationship with God. We want all members of our school community to live a 'Life in all Fullness'.
The school vision of 'Life in all Fullness' drives our school motto: 'With all your Heart' and core Christian values of Love, Respect, Service, Courage and Resilience. Our main value is love (as demonstrated by The Good Shepherd in John 10:10). We are a family school built on love. Children and adults flourish in a loving environment. Please view the school Facebook page (via the homepage of the website) to see our school vision, motto and core Christian values being 'lived' and 'running through' every aspect of school life.
Evidence of our school's Christian ethos can also be sought through the school's SIAMS inspection report. A SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools) inspection usually takes place every five years and considers how a school meets the needs of all its learners through its distinctive Christian teachings. The inspection is conducted by an external inspector as rigorously as an OFSTED inspection. The inspector gathers evidence and conducts interviews before considering their judgements against specific criteria, which is then nationally quality assured.
In our most recent SIAMS inspection our school has been judged to be outstanding. The full SIAMS report can be accessed below.
We have also provided some information below linked to: collective worship, prayer space days and reflection areas. All of these aspects contribute to the school's distinctive Christian ethos. Further information can also be found in the policy section of this website.