Our Theologically Rooted Christian Vision

 

We value every member of our community as a unique child of God and seek to demonstrate His love through our words and actions. We enable every child to achieve their full potential so that they leave us with their heads inspired and their hearts enriched.

As a result our children will:

 

1. a positive sense of self and well-being; confident to make the right choices and keep themselves safe in an ever-changing society
2. for academic excellence, developing a thirst for knowledge and a love of learning

1. effective communicators, collaborators and leaders
2. resilient, resourceful and courageous
3. curious, creative individuals and confident problem solvers
4. in spiritual awareness and develop a strong moral compass and a deepening understanding of the Christian faith in a multi-faith British society
5. responsible and tolerant global citizens who value diversity, forgive readily, and have concern for the needs of each other, the school, the wider community, and the planet

 

It is only as we look to Jesus and see his love for us that we are able to love like him. This is our deep desire for every member of the Lady Boswell’s community. Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan, as well as the theology that lies behind our six school values, show us how this can be true for each one of us. And as these truths are realised, we come to experience for ourselves the promise of Jesus, as stated in the Church of England’s vision for education, in which everyone flourishes: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

 

 

THE GOOD SAMARITAN

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I

do to inherit eternal life?

“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your

strength and with all your mind’, and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ “

“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?”

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by

robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.

A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on

the other side. So too a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other

side. But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came to where the man was; and when he saw him, he took

pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the

man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out

two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will

reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of

robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise."

Luke 10:25-37

The lawyer wanted to justify himself and so he asks Jesus a good question. Jesus, however, answers him with another question. He takes the lawyer back to the word of God. What, Jesus asks, do the Scriptures teach about how to inherit eternal life? The answer is clear to the lawyer: love God, and love your neighbour. These are the two great commandments that God gave to the Jewish people from long ago. Jesus approves the lawyer’s answer - someone who does love God and who does love their neighbour like this will indeed live eternally. But the lawyer still has concerns. That sounds like a lot of people to love! And so he asks Jesus about who exactly it is who counts as his neighbour. Surely it doesn’t include every single person? In response to this question, Jesus tells a story. In Jesus’ story, a man who is on a journey is attacked and lies alone and helpless, in desperate need. Who, we ask, will be a neighbour to this man and love him? Who will show him compassion? Soon enough a Jewish priest comes along the road, but he walks on without helping. Then a Jewish man from the tribe of Levi appears, but he too ignores the man. This is a surprise - these are both religious men, who have God’s law, and yet they are not loving their neighbour. And there is another surprise to come. The third man who turns up is not a Jewish man at all, but is instead a Samaritan - someone who is hated by the Jews. The Samaritan is nothing like the priest or the Levite, he’s not like the dying man, and he’s not like the lawyer. But shockingly, he is the one who stops and helps the man. This Samaritan man is a true neighbour, even to his enemies.

Of course, this story isn’t just about those men - it’s a story that teaches us about Jesus. Just like

the Samaritan, who was not like the dying man but who nonetheless loved him and rescued him,

Jesus is the one who loved and rescued his enemies when he died on the cross and rose again.

Everyone needs someone who loves them like Jesus, unconditionally, and who will always forgive their sins.   Jesus is the loving neighbour who can save them and bring them forgiveness.

The lawyer recognised that the Samaritan man was the good neighbour, the one who shows us

that Jesus saves even his enemies. And Jesus then told the lawyer that, since Jesus had loved and

saved and forgiven him for his sin, he should go and love others like Jesus did - helping them and

caring for them in all sorts of ways, and telling them about Jesus, the perfect neighbour (the ultimate Good Samaritan), who loves and saves and forgives.  In the same way, at Lady Boswell’s, we want to ‘Love like Jesus’, as we value every member of our community as a unique child of God.

 

OUR VISION EXPLAINED

At our school, our distinctive Christian ethos is deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, particularly exemplified in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Just as the Samaritan showed compassion and kindness to a stranger in need, we see how Jesus treats us, and therefore strive to cultivate a community where, in addition to our core values, empathy, and service are central.  Our vision reflects mutual care and concern, tolerance and respect for all human beings, regardless of beliefs culture or race.  We aim to treat, care and love others as Jesus loves us; encouraging our children to become responsible and tolerant global citizens who value diversity, forgive readily, and have concern for the needs of each other, the school, the wider community, and the planet.

In the parable, Jesus emphasizes the importance of loving our neighbours as ourselves, regardless of their background or circumstances. This principle guides us in fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where every individual is valued and respected. We aspire to ensure that God’s unconditional love affects every word, relationship and deed within our school and we encourage our children to care for others, through understanding and respect. The Good Samaritan shows us Jesus’ deep compassion and commitment to stand for what is right is striking (and a clear example of courageous advocacy).  In the same way, we want to encourage our children to be resilient, resourceful and courageous, not afraid to speak out against injustice, and ready to be proactive agents of positive change.   At Lady Boswell’s this is an intrinsic part of our curriculum. (See Appendix 1 and our Curriculum Policy.)

In 1675 Lady Margaret Boswell founded our school by leaving money to educate and care for those children in Sevenoaks who would have been marginalised through poverty- demonstrating God’s love through her actions.   Charity and caring for those in need is fundamental to our work in school. Like the Good Samaritan, we believe in reaching out to those who are marginalized or in distress, extending a helping hand and offering solace to those in need. Our school community is committed to serving each other, whether it be through commitment to wellbeing, charitable acts, volunteering, or simply offering a listening ear and words of encouragement. We encourage our children to grow in spiritual awareness and develop a strong moral compass and a deepening understanding of the Christian faith in a multi-faith British society.

This parable reminds us of the significance of selflessness and sacrifice in our relationships with others, ultimately demonstrated in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. We aspire to instil these virtues in our pupils, encouraging them to develop a positive sense of self and well-being; confident to make the right choices and keep themselves safe in an ever-changing society. We encourage our children to prioritize their own and the well-being of others and to be curious, creative individuals and confident problem solvers who strive for justice and equality in all aspects of their lives.

In essence, our school's distinctive Christian ethos, inspired by the parable of the Good Samaritan, shapes our collective identity and motivates us to embody the Love of Jesus through compassion, empathy, and service in everything we do. Through our ethos, we aim to nurture individuals who not only Strive for academic excellence, developing a thirst for knowledge and a love of learning but also demonstrate integrity, kindness, become effective communicators, collaborators and leaders who have a commitment to making a positive difference in the world.

 

A parent wrote the following:

 

“The ethos of the school seems to be to care for all of God's children and create the best possible chances for each one to fulfil their potential. The school cares about the whole child, not just their academic success. Whilst academic success is of enormous importance at Lady Boswell's, creating a rounded, caring and happy individual is equally important. I really value the emphasis on prayer and reflecting on others both at school and elsewhere in the world. I think this contributes to children's mental health and wellbeing, as well as creating resilience and a balanced temperament. Children educated at Lady Boswell's are taught that everyone is valuable and has something to say and to contribute. I wish the whole world could be educated at a school like Lady Boswells!”