At St Mary’s, Big Questions give children opportunities to think deeply, explore different perspectives and reflect on their own beliefs, values and experiences. They encourage curiosity and help children recognise that some of the most important questions do not always have one simple or ‘right’ answer.

Each half term, our Big Questions are linked to the Christian value we are exploring as a school. Importantly, these questions are generated by the children themselves during Collective Worship, giving pupils an active role in shaping the questions that our school community explores.

How do we create our Big Questions?

During Collective Worship, children use a Question Matrix to help them develop thoughtful, open-ended questions. Working together, they combine a red question starter with a blue question word or phrase to create questions such as:

“Why might…?” 
“How can…?”
“What does…?”

Children discuss their ideas, consider which questions might lead to deeper thinking and then help to select a Big Question for further reflection.

The process is just as important as the final question. It develops children's ability to wonder, question, listen to others, consider different viewpoints and recognise that our experiences can lead us to different responses.

This Half Term: Respect

Our Christian value this half term is Respect.

Our KS2 Big Question is:

How can respect help us to achieve more?
Created by Lottie, Year 4

Our KS1 Big Question is:

How does respect impact us and others?

These questions become a thread for reflection throughout the half term. Children encounter them through Collective Worship and are encouraged to revisit them as their thinking develops, making connections with their learning, relationships, experiences and our Christian vision.

Children can also respond to the Big Question independently through our Reflection Space, where they are free to record their thoughts, questions and reflections in ways that are meaningful to them.

Through our Big Questions, we want children to know that their questions matter. We encourage them not only to find answers, but to remain curious, listen to others, challenge their own thinking and allow their ideas to grow and change over time.