St Aldhelm's Church

Bishop Aldhelm’s C.E. Primary School enjoys very close links with the parish church of St. Aldhelm’s, Branksome.  We attend the church for worship on occasions throughout the year.

Reverend Philip Martin (Fr. Pip) is the Vicar at St. Aldhelm’s Church.

Our children are familiar with the history of St. Aldhelm whose day, May 25^th, is celebrated each year.  Groups of older children enjoy a pilgrimage to St. Aldhelm’s Head on the Purbeck coastline before leaving for secondary school.

Fr. Pip regularly leads assemblies for school and members of the church also lead ‘Open The Book’ bible themed assemblies.  There is daily worship in school either in the main hall or in classrooms led by teachers.

Parents do have the right to withdraw their children from worship by informing the Head Teacher in writing.

A Reflection is published in our Newsletters.  This is another opportunity for us to pray and reflect as a community.  The reflection links to one of our four school values and is often followed up in our School Worships.

Children are welcome at all the main church services.  There is a ‘children’s area’ with books and quiet toys available.  Most months (usually on the 1^st Sunday) the ‘All Age Service’ is suitable for children and their families.

The church also welcomes any enquiries regarding baptism (aka ‘Christening’).  We will also be pleased to receive any requests for prayer and pastoral support for children and families associated with the school.

The website for the parish church of St. Aldhelm’s Branksome is www.st-aldhelm.com and to join the church facebook site go to – St Aldhelm’s Church, Branksome.  The church also produces a monthly parish magazine to which the school contributes a double page spread sharing with the wider community what activities school has been doing, copies are available either from the church or school office.