Learning Walk

Evaluating the Christian Character of your School

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IntroductionThe ethos and learning walk is a valuable tool when gathering evidence for your ongoing self-evaluation as a church school. The walk may be carried out by members of the school’s senior leadership team, RE head of department or subject leader but can also be undertaken by any member of the school community. It might include support staff, pupils, parents, governors or an external visitor – each would bring their own perspective and viewpoint to the exercise.

Before staring an ethos and learning walk it is important that those taking part have a clear overview of

What the particular focus will be How the walk is to be recorded How findings from the walk will be used and how this will

be fed back to relevant partiesIdeas and suggestions for things to look out for / focus on during an ethos and learning walk have been included. This is not an exhaustive list nor is it an expectation that everything listed should be found on the walk.

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Learning WalkEvaluating the Christian CharacterFocus Christian ValuesSupporting Evidence the extent to which our school’s

values are distinctively Christian/ Church in Wales in character

the extent to which all members of the school community and particularly learners, can make links between the values and Biblical teaching

Some questions to ask…. What is special about the words

on this board? Why are they called ‘Christian’

values? What difference do they make to

you in school? Do you think there is one of

these values that is more important than the others?

Why do you think that it is the most important?

Do you know of any people in the Bible that have demonstrated one of these values?

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Learning WalkEvaluating the Christian CharacterFocus Spiritual

DevelopmentSupporting Evidence how well the school offers

opportunities for learners to reflect on and respond to beliefs, values and profound human experiences from a range of faith perspectives, including the context of contemporary Walesthe extent to which the opportunities for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development are characterised by distinctively Christian values

Some questions you could ask ….. Tell me about the times when you use

this garden? Why is it important to have times of

quiet? Why do people think that saying prayers

is important?

the extent to which the school operates as a distinctively Christian/Church in Wales community

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Learning WalkEvaluating the Christian CharacterFocus The contribution of

Religious Education to the Christian character of the school

Supporting Evidence the extent to which Religious Education makes contribution to the distinctively Christian values of the school and to the well-being, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of learners

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To view the First Llandaff Diocesan Portfolio of Levelled examples in each Religious Education key skill click Here or go to www.churchschoolscymru.org.uk

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Learning WalkEvaluating the Christian CharacterFocus The effectiveness of

partnershipsSupporting Evidence the extent to which leaders and

managers form partnerships and engage with the Church in parish, diocesan, national and global communities in a way that enriches the lives of learners

the effectiveness of the incumbent/ minister/chaplain/youth worker in supporting individuals and developing the distinctive Christian character of the school

the effectiveness of parental engagement and contribution to school life.

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Learning WalkEvaluating Collective WorshipFocus Classroom worshipSupporting Evidence How well collective worship

develops personal spirituality within the school community through a range of experiences

Learners understand the nature and purpose of prayer and the part it may play within an individual’s life and in the life of the worshipping community

Appropriate opportunities are provided for prayer and reflection outside collective worship, that supports the spiritual development of the individual

Some questions you could ask… Why are these children sitting on the

carpet in a circle? Why do you think there is a candle in the

middle? Some children have their eyes closed.

Why is this? Are there other times/places when people

can pray? Do you have a prayer that is special for

you? Tell me about other things that happen

during your class worship time.

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Some Useful Resources

The Bible Gateway: www.biblegateway.com is a good way of finding biblical quotes to add on displays

Pause for Reflection: a pack produced by Gloucester Diocese to gives examples of simple but effective reflective areas to promote spiritual development

Pause to reflect on Values: a second series set of reflection area cards focusing on Christian Values

www.christianvalues4schools.org.uk : a website to look at how to embed Christian values into your church schools

From the Bible Gateway searching for Inspiration:

2 Timothy 3:16 (CEV) | In Context | Whole Chapter16 Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live.

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