Ribbleton Avenue Methodist Junior School

As the last outpost of Methodism in the area, school are looking at the ways in which we build our links with the local Methodist circuit.  To enhance this further, children have been included in the Fulwood Methodist Easter 2021 magazine, with examples of their work being shared with the community.  Through this group, a voluntary donation has been made to the school on a quarterly basis, with £100 being given to support school in purchasing uniform for any families struggling financially.

In response to this, our children sent a wedding card to this wonderful lady, as a thank you.

Reverend Barbara (currently on Adoption Leave) is our Methodist Minister but in her absence Reverend Jane has visited fortnightly offering whole school worship and in class work throughout school.  This is well received by the children across school and their exciting worship sessions are thoroughly engaging for the children; the use of puppets is always well received.  With Jane comes Darren who is a layman and when Jane is unable to attend, Darren will continue the delivery of worship across school, but they also attend as a duo.  More recently, Jane has been attending our school coffee morning, getting to know the families who attend and building relationships across the community; the families have really enjoyed this opportunity to talk with Jane and this is a lovely way to connect school, church and the community.

Due to Covid restrictions and national lockdown, Jane and Darren sent Worship videos into school to continue our Methodist support to our children whilst they were at home.

As a school we raise money to help give back to Fair Share which enables us to run our food market for parents and provide a healthy breakfast for our children who attend Breakfast Club.  It is important that we continue to support this initiative as it provides a huge lifeline to our families when they may be struggling to access food banks. In an academic year, school can provide 6 holiday food banks thanks to the support of Fair Share which is accessed by a minimum of 30 families at each session.  This is a joint resource that is also offered to the adjoining Community Infant school in our quest to help the surrounding community.  Fair Share food bank also provides the tea, coffee, toast and biscuits that we provide our community events as well as our weekly Coffee Morning and Toddler Group. 

The children also support charity events close to their own heart including the Children’s Cancer Trust and The Princess Trust. Most recently one of our Year 4 pupils has cut all her hair off and donated her hair to make a wig for a child who is suffering from cancer.

In another example, one of our Year 6 pupils used his weekly pocket money to provide gloves, hats and toiletries to the homeless people in Preston.  For this amazing act of love and selflessness, this young man was nominated for the Pupil of the Year by Lancashire Evening Post and although he did not win on this occasion, he was supported at this prestigious event by his mum, the Chair of Governors, his wife and myself, the headteacher; we were immensely proud of his achievements and the many amazing things our children at Ribbleton Methodist Juniors do on a daily basis.