Create Story Club
This project has been an exciting development for the local rural churches in the area, being part of this work has strengthened the links between school and Church. Local members have been enthusiastically knitting puppets to be used as part of storyclub, and the children adore using these to re-enact the Bible story as part of a lunchtime session.
Churches have provided finance to purchase a wide range of age-appropriate, interesting, accessible and beautifully illustrated Christian books. Topics include: prayer, Bible stories from the Old and New Testament, resources about Church and also celebrating festivals. These resources are used by the teachers as well as being accessible to children.
Librarian work
The school librarian takes great pride in ensuring there is a wide range of multi-faith books which are accessible to the whole school. The resources are supplemented by Devon SLS and ensure that children have appropriate texts that support their understanding and provide opportunities to learn about cultures from across the world. In addition, the children’s Christian spiritual development is nurtured by a wide range of regularly updated Christian books selected from Devon SLS as part of their topic box scheme.
Bringing Bible stories to life
Lunchtime Bible Storyclub provides an opportunity for children to access, reflect upon and respond to, a wide range of Bible stories, in a non-threatening way.
The stories are planned around the Church Year, increasing even very young children’s awareness of the festivals within the Anglican Church.
Through using simplified Bible stories, props, puppets , craft and reflective playdough activities, children have access to different ways of understand and responding to the underlying values, regardless of their age. Children share their ideas and are able to discuss how these stories relate to their lives.
Spending time together thinking about God helps build relationships between children in different age groups, and they are able to develop an understanding of faith.
Children really enjoy being part of the story and often take their craft or colouring and share what they have learnt with children in other parts of the school.