Rooted in community, growing in curiosity, guided by compassion.

Laddingford St Mary's is a Church of England (voluntary controlled) Primary School and Nursery at the heart of the village community. As a church school, our vision and values are distinctly Christian, whilst equally welcoming and including those of all faiths and none. 

Vision

Inspired by Psalm 1:3 (New Living Translation) — Our children are like “trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”

We believe children flourish when they are securely grounded — in confidence in their own beliefs and values, in strong and trusting relationships, in high-quality teaching, and in a community that truly knows and values them as individuals. As a small school, Laddingford St Mary’s provides a nurturing environment where every child is seen, heard and encouraged to thrive. Our size is our strength: we know our pupils well, understand their needs and celebrate their successes, ensuring that no child is overlooked and no talent goes undiscovered.

Like trees planted by streams of water, our children draw from a rich source of learning and opportunity. Through an ambitious and carefully sequenced curriculum, high expectations for all and a deep commitment to personal development, we prepare them for their next educational steps and for active participation in the wider world.

At Laddingford, we believe that every child can flourish and prosper. Our ambition to strive for excellence for all is embedded in our teaching, our relationships and our aspirations for the future. We seek to develop well-rounded individuals equipped with the knowledge and experiences to thrive in the modern world. Through enrichment opportunities, leadership roles, community engagement and exposure to the arts and sciences, sports, music and spiritual development, children gain cultural capital and confidence. Our children know that their voices matter, their contributions are valuable and their potential is limitless.

Values

At Laddingford, we live this vision through three guiding values: Curiosity, Compassion and Community.

Curiosity 

At Laddingford, we cultivate inquisitive minds and a lifelong passion for discovery. Curiosity drives our curriculum and shapes our teaching. We encourage children to ask thoughtful questions, explore different perspectives and take intellectual risks.

Compassion

Compassion and kindness underpin our relationships and shape the Laddingford community. Within our mixed-aged classes, children learn alongside one another in a culture of mutual respect, care and encouragement. All pupils are encouraged to develop leadership, empathy and responsibility, in turn gaining confidence and aspiration. We explicitly teach emotional literacy, kindness and respect, ensuring that kindness is both understood and lived out in daily interactions.

Community

As a small school, we are proud that community is central to our identity. Our size is our strength. Every child is known, valued and celebrated as a unique individual. We work closely with families and the wider community to create a warm, supportive environment where children feel safe to take risks, express themselves and flourish. We work in close partnerships with families, the church and the wider community to provide a safe and inspiring environment. Our pupils benefit from meaningful relationships with staff who understand their academic and social journey, personal interests and individual needs. Our school is more than a place of learning — it is a place of belonging. The relationships formed here are truly important, and children know they will always be welcomed back as valued members of our school family. This lasting connection nurtures confidence, identity and a deep sense of rootedness. We celebrate children’s achievements; academic, creative, sporting and personal, recognising that success is unique for each and every child.

Our School Rules

At Laddingford we have just 3 expectations which must be met at all times, by everyone.

• Be Ready
• Be Respectful
• Be Safe

British Values

We recognise and celebrate the diverse society which our children are entering into. We actively promote British values in a range of ways, including challenging opinions or behaviours that are contrary to them. These British values (as defined by the Department for Education) are:

• Democracy
• The Rule of Law
• Individual Liberty
• Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

These values are taught through RSHE, through stand alone topic/projects such as the school elections and as part of our wider commitment to teaching our school values; to ensure that at Laddingford, everyone feels heard, represented, respected and valued. 

UNICEF Rights Respecting School - Bronze Award

The UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools Bronze Award recognises a school's commitment to placing children's rights at the centre of everything it does. It means the school is actively working to ensure that every child is respected, listened to and supported to flourish, in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.