Our Church School

Our Church

We have very strong links with our church, ST Lawrence Church, which is also in our school hall.

Collective Worship

Our daily act of worship is an important part of every school day and worship is seen as integral to our school life.

Our pupils are frequently complimented on their reverent responses during acts of worship and the value we place on the opportunities we have to worship God together is clear for all to see.

Our Monday morning assemblies set the theme for the week, often based around our Core Christian values (Perseverance, Forgiveness, Respect, Courage, Justice, Wisdom, Hope, Compassion and Responsibility). On Friday we celebrate and reflect on the achievements of the week.

Children in our school have regular opportunities to lead the worship of their peers in whole school and class assemblies. Our worship committee, made of pupils in the Key stage 2, play an active part in preparing for our acts of worship.

Religious Education

We believe that a high quality religious education will help pupils gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of the nature, role and influence of religion in the world.

Teaching should equip pupils to think critically, ask perceptive questions, formulate reasoned opinion and handle controversial issues and truth claims. It should provide pupils with the opportunity to pursue a personal quest for meaning, purpose and value and to develop an understanding of, and respect for, different beliefs and lifestyles. The development of human cultures and the lives of millions of people have been influenced by religions and beliefs; RE enables pupils to recognise this and respond to it so that they can learn more about themselves and their place in the world. The subject has a key role in enabling pupils to achieve and in preparing them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life.

Our School RE curriculum is currently based on ‘Understanding Christianity’ and Essex’ ExploRE resources. Children study different faiths and also compare the religious views of different faith groups on topics such as rites of passage or festivals.

Our RE lead teacher is Mrs Cowley.

SIAMS Inspection

As a Church of England school, in addition to monitoring by Ofsted, we are also inspected under a system called the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS).

The SIAMS inspection takes place usually on a five yearly cycle. This is a national system which is organised, for our school, through the Diocese of Chelmsford, commissioned by the Department for Education. The SIAMS inspection is part of our ongoing process of school development and improvement.

Our most recent SIAMS Inspection was in March 2020 where the school was given the grading of ‘Good’.

Collective worship is a source of life in the school. Pupils look forward to this time together and there is a sense of hope and openness from the moment they enter the hall.

Hillhouse is a totally inclusive school. All children are treated with dignity and respect, whatever their needs or background. This flows directly from the school's Christian vision.