Hey with Zion is a joint foundation Anglican/Methodist primary school, formed 40 years ago when Hey St John Church of England School joined with Zion Methodist Church School. The school will be celebrating its 40th birthday this summer (2018).
Hey with Zion’s founder churches work together at every level – at governor level, in assemblies, in school-church visits and day to day collaboration with the staff and children – to remain true to the covenant of planning together for mission and worship, deployment of ministry and the use of resources.
Hey with Zion has staff and pupils from Anglican, Methodist, Catholic and other faith (and non-faith) backgrounds and it is very important, locally, that the school positions itself as an explicitly Christian and inclusive school, nurturing and existing for all of God’s children.
Here children learn about Christianity and develop their faith within it, also their understanding of Christianity and other religions, within a message of peace and love. In Oldham, it is important that the churches visibly demonstrate cross-faith cohesion and clergy have supported the school in this respect, for example by joining the school in a visit to a mosque, and Muslim pupils regularly join in with Bible readings in our Christian services, and in playing roles within our class nativities.
Our children regularly visit both churches, for services at times of Christian celebration and also at times like Remembrance Day, or to create art work inspired by the church architecture, and to perform nativities.