Christian Ethos

“The Christian ethos of the school promotes a strong spiritual awareness, as well as a tolerance and celebration of other cultures, and a concern for others. This encourages good behaviour.” Ofsted – November 2006

As a school with profound ideals based upon our Christian foundation, we strive to introduce Christian aspects of teaching into all that we do. Each year the school raises money for a charity voted for by all members of the school, usually we help a charity at home one year and abroad the next. In 2007 it was a home charity and students raised money for ‘Acorns Children’s Hospice’ in Walsall. We set ourselves a target of £4,000 and spectacularly exceeded that by raising £5,700.

We have a daily Form Worship which includes prayer and time for reflection with candles, and also a weekly worship service in St. Matthew’s Church with thought provoking sermons and Christian performances.

Our school Chaplain Rev. A. Duckworth, co-ordinates our Year Eucharist services during which students are invited to take communion, which gives a true Christian foundation for our young people to build upon.

We hold regular Prayer meetings for staff and students, during which prayers are said and thoughts are focused on people in need. There is a Prayer Box in Reception that is available for anyone to put requests for prayer into.

Our Student Christian Union meet regularly to discuss Christianity from all angles. These students are instrumental in spreading the word of Christianity throughout our school and others, going out into the community and taking assemblies as ‘The Blue Coat Christian Roadshow’.

Blue Coat Church of England College has recently been inspected by SIAS, which is the official body that makes sure that the teaching in Church schools is based in Christianity – here are some comments from them:

“Students value the positive support that they receive from staff”

 “Students of all faiths appreciate the positive impact of the regular use of prayer in school. Many of them speak of how they have grown to use prayer both within and outside school”

 “Form collective worship was seen to create a powerful spiritual environment”