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Our Church and Community

Our Partnership with St Thomas' Church

At Archbishop Cranmer Church of England Primary Academy, we are proud of our close relationship with St Thomas' Church in Aslockton. Our partnership is an important part of our identity as a Church school and helps us bring our Christian vision, ‘Striving for life in all its fullness’ (John 10:10), to life.

St Thomas' is more than a place we visit for special occasions. It is an important part of our school community, providing opportunities for worship, reflection, learning and shared experiences.

Our local vicar leads collective worship in school every Wednesday, helping children explore Christian teachings, our school values and important questions about life and faith.

We also come together for Cranmer Connect, our monthly school church gathering held on the second Thursday of each month, strengthening the connection between our school, church and wider community.

Worship, Celebration and Pupil Leadership

Throughout the school year, St Thomas' provides a welcoming setting for whole-school services and significant occasions in the Christian calendar.

Children play an active role in these occasions, contributing to and leading worship rather than simply attending.

For example, our Welcome Service brings the school community together at the beginning of the academic year, whilst our Remembrance Service provides opportunities for children to lead prayers, readings and reflection.

Our Harvest celebrations are held outdoors at school, with Rev'd Tim joining us to offer a blessing and support our worship. Year 6 pupils lead the service, introducing and guiding the celebrations, whilst children from across the school contribute.

We also visit St Thomas' to mark Thy Kingdom Come, providing opportunities for children to engage in prayer and reflection as part of this global Christian initiative.

These experiences give pupils opportunities to develop confidence, responsibility and a sense of belonging, whilst strengthening their understanding of Christian traditions and the importance of serving others.

Learning Through Our Church Partnership

St Thomas' is also a valuable resource for our Religious Education curriculum, allowing children to experience aspects of Christian faith and practice beyond the classroom.

For example, our Foundation children visit the church as part of their learning about Baptism, exploring the church environment and developing their understanding of this important Christian practice.

Visits such as these help children connect their classroom learning with the lived experiences of Christians, encounter religious symbols and traditions, and develop their understanding of the role of the church within the community.

We are also exploring opportunities to further enrich children's experiences of the Christian calendar, including a Stations of the Cross experience at Easter, providing opportunities to reflect on the events of Holy Week.

Members of the church community contribute to school life, enriching children's experiences and strengthening relationships across generations.

A Church at the Heart of Our Village

St Thomas' Church has been part of the Aslockton community since 1891.

The Grade II listed church was designed by Sir Arthur Blomfield and funded by Mrs Sophia Hall in memory of her son, Thomas, who was Vicar of Whatton and died when RMS Quetta was shipwrecked off the coast of Queensland.

This history is remembered through one of the church's stained-glass windows, providing a fascinating connection between our local community and events on the other side of the world.

We value this rich local heritage and the opportunities it provides for children to develop an understanding of the community to which they belong.

Find Out More

Families are warmly encouraged to explore the life and history of St Thomas' Church and the wider Cranmer Group of Churches.

You can also read more about how our church partnership contributes to Collective Worship at Archbishop Cranmer.

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