“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches” Matthew (13:31-32).
We embrace the profound metaphor of the mustard seed which symbolises the potential within each of our children. Just as the smallest seed grows into a mighty tree, we believe in nurturing and supporting aspirations within all our pupils, fostering an environment where their dreams can flourish, creating spaces for them to soar and inspire others, like birds finding refuge in the branches. Aspiration is the catalyst for their growth, mirroring the transformative journey from seed to tree!
Our Values
Using inspiration from the Bible and the teachings of Jesus, we chose three parables that link to our core values. Aspiration and The Parable of the Mustard Seed is our overarching value and parable, which is rooted into our school vision. After work with staff, pupils, parents, the church team and the wider community, we decided upon three core values, known as our 'Littleham ABCs'.
ASPIRATION - The Parable of the Mustard Seed
BELONGING - The Parable of the Lost Sheep
COMPASSION - The Parable of the Good Samaritan
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
The Teachings
The Parable of the Mustard Seed teaches us that starting small can lead to big success. In the parable, the smallest amount of faith can eventually lead you to the kingdom of heaven. Even a tiny seed grows into a large tree, showing that modest beginnings can result in significant achievements. Likewise, people with aspirations may begin with small goals but achieve great success through hard work and dedication, which makes a difference to themselves and others.
Belonging, in the Parable of the Lost Sheep, highlights the importance of each person in a community. The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep, showing that every individual matters. This story emphasises that everyone belongs and deserves care within our community, stressing the importance of unity and shared responsibility.
Compassion is shown in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, where a Samaritan helps a wounded stranger, crossing cultural and religious differences. This story demonstrates how compassion can bring people together and inspire acts of kindness. The Samaritan's actions highlight the universal principle of treating others with empathy and compassion, fostering a sense of shared humanity.
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Vision week
In November 2023, members of the Littleham church team, including Reverend Steve, spoke to the children about the parables and how they link to our daily lives.
Every child in the school produced handprints which were then displayed as wings! They symbolise where our aspirations can take us! During our vision week in November, each class focused upon a particular parable value. The artwork and displayed work that you can see on this page are the outcomes from it.
In March 2024, the Acting Bishop of Exeter, Jackie Searle, met and discussed with the school council the new values and why they were chosen.
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MAT Vision - SMALL SCHOOLS, BIG OPPORTUNITIES TOGETHER
The Church Schools within the Link Academy Trust aim to provide an education with four key elements which are at the heart of all that we are, enriched by our Christian traditions; Wisdom, Hope, Community and Dignity.
Our learners will be given opportunities to become independent, collaborative, creative learners who have the confidence to seek wisdom and nurture a love of learning.
Our small schools provide big opportunities to broaden learners’ horizons and prepare them for the fullness of life, through hope, aspiration and our core Christian values.
We focus on relationships and learning to live well in a wider community that can flourish together.
Central to children’s learning is respecting the worth, dignity and preciousness of each person in a safe and inclusive environment within the sight and love of God.
We believe that if you demonstrate our Littleham ABCs, your wings will take you to amazing places!