We have very strong links with St Mary the Virgin church in Buckland, and frequently have major school services there, such as Christmas, Easter, Harvest and Remembrance. The church also often hosts the school for "Prayer Walks" which are days themed around the Christian seasons or aspects of faith (such as prayer) as opportunities for the children to delve more deeply into these ideas and explore them through story and craft.
St Mary's church supports the School by purchasing the Year 6 Bibles each year, and in many other small ways. Congregation members are regularly part of the Open The Book team which is a weekly Collective Worship time, and also come in to help with reading and other visits as requested.
The Foundation Governors (Revd. Talisker, Lucy Gildersleeves and Mary Lines) are always involved in Open the Book and in planning and organising the Prayer Walks, special assemblies and collective worship, and are on hand to help with particular issues that can arise, to give a faith perspective.
Joshua Orphan and Community Care
We support this locally-based charity which raises funds to help children in Malawi with schooling and other necessities. It has been wonderful for the children to learn about school and home life in Malawi from these children, and we retain strong links with their communities through village people who are involved with the charity.
The Oxford Christmas Lunch
Every year for the past five years, the seven churches of the Benefice of Cherbury with Gainfield have supported the Oxford Christmas Lunch by asking for donations of toys and toiletries, which are given to all the guests at the Lunch. As part of the yearly Benefice Christmas appeal, the school has particularly focussed on providing toys for the children at the Lunch, which is for homeless and vulnerably housed people, who otherwise might not receive any Christmas gifts.