Together We Shine

As a Church of England Academy, our work is guided by the Christian vision of “life in all its fullness” (John 10:10).

At The John Wallis Church of England Academy, this means creating a community where every child and every family feels valued, supported, and able to flourish. This belief shapes how we teach, how we care for one another, and how we build our community each day.

In the months ahead, we will be launching a new campaign across our School and wider community:

Within the walls of our Academy, we have children from over 80 different nationalities, with more than 50 languages spoken. We are proud of who we are and proud of our community. It is full of kindness and care for others.
At the same time, we are increasingly aware of the challenges facing many children and families, both locally and nationally. Rising levels of anxiety, loneliness and mental health concerns among young people are well documented. Alongside this, public conversation can feel increasingly polarised, with messages of division often overshadowing those of understanding and unity.

As a Church of England Academy, we believe we have an important role in responding to these challenges. Our Christian Foundations call us to promote dignity, compassion and hope, and to create environments where everyone feels welcomed, respected and able to thrive.

Schools are communities of care as well as learning, and we take that responsibility seriously.

‘Together We Shine’ is our way of affirming that every person in our community matters and belongs. It is a celebration of our shared values and of the positive relationships that make The John Wallis Church of England Academy such a special place.

You will begin to see the messages ‘Together We Shine’ and ‘United as One’ displayed around our Academy and across the local area, including:

• Billboards and community advertising spaces
• Banners and flags throughout the Academy grounds
• Social media channels

The campaign is rooted in our LIGHT values – Love, Integrity, Generosity, Hope and Togetherness – and reflects our vision of enabling all young people to live life fully, with confidence and purpose.

At its heart, the message is a simple but powerful one:

EVERY PERSON IN OUR COMMUNITY IS VALUED.
EVERY PERSON BELONGS.

Our motivation is educational and pastoral. Alongside the messages of love and belonging, we will be celebrating the collective cultures within our community; we will be engaging in programmes of civic education; we will be promoting dialogue and listening.

Children learn best when they feel safe, valued, and connected. A strong sense of belonging supports wellbeing, resilience, and academic success, and helps young people to flourish.

Our community has a huge heart and great potential. The ‘Together We Shine’ campaign lifts up the values, stories, and relationships that make The John Wallis Church of England Academy a positive, supportive and hopeful place to belong.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR OUR PUPILS, OUR ACADEMY, AND OUR COMMUNITY.