'We love our village school - and were really keen to help out' 

A local primary school has found a temporary home in a Baptist church for the final half term of the year

The Baptist Church, Kilmington has opened the doors of its 'Beacon' premises to host the Pipits pre-school/reception class of Kilmington Primary School while a new classroom is built. 

The church was only too happy to step up after being approached by the school, which couldn't move the class to another space on its grounds. 
 
'When we heard of the need of the school, we were really keen to help out,' minister Mike Hudson explained. 

'Although our village primary school is not a ‘church school’, we have built a very strong relationship with them over many years.

'We partner with them in lots of different ways including hosting and leading assemblies on a regular basis. We’re always keen to help and bless them in any way we can, and have a great relationship with the staff and students. 

'So when the school approached us to discuss plans to build a much needed new classroom for its pre-school/reception class, we quickly agreed that we would love to help by opening our doors to them, and made the necessary arrangements to make it happen.'

Mike said this has needed flexibility from both the church's own ministry teams and outside hirers. For instance church members now clear their main gathering space in the rear hall each week, so that others can use it and thereby free up the space needed for Pipits. The Beacon building is well used by the community having been built in 2015 after a fire destroyed the previous premises.

The school itself highlighted the 'very warm welcome' Pipits had received from the team at The Beacon in its 7 June newsletter. 'There will always be small things we have overlooked but they are doing very well over there,' the newsletter stated.

Mike added, 'Things are a little noisier at times, but we’re used to that here! It’s a real blessing to see the children and staff make themselves at home.

'We love our village school, and if there was a way to offer hospitality and bless them, we wanted to do just that. 

'Jesus’ model of hospitality and radical welcome is something we try to live out. We wanted to work with the school to offer a relaxing environment and some continuity for the children and staff at a challenging time. 

'Our old home burned down in a devastating fire, and when our new home, the Beacon, was opened in 2015, the vision was that it would be both a home for our gathered church family, but also a space that would bless the local community. This was another opportunity to do just that.

'It’s been great to see the church step up, and as we iron out the creases to make their stay even better, we are talking with the school to see how we might serve both them, the children, and the parents while they are with us. 

'We are praying that through the welcome they have received from us, they might also experience something of the welcome of God.'