Ascension Day is a deeply cherished and distinctive part of life at Bisley Blue Coat Church of England Primary School. According to Christian tradition, Ascension Day has been celebrated since the early Church, with the first written evidence of the Feast dating back to 385 AD. It marks the moment when Jesus ascended into heaven, entrusting his disciples to continue his work of love, service and witness in the world.

Ascension Day also brings Rogationtide to a close – a time of prayer for God’s blessing on the land, the community and all who live and work within it. While many schools have moved away from marking Ascension Day, Bisley remains one of only a small number of schools nationally, and the only school in Gloucestershire, to uphold the tradition of processing through the village to bless the wells.

This celebration reflects our Christian vision to Love, Learn, Live as One, and is a powerful expression of our core value of Respect. As a school community, we gather to show respect for God’s creation, for the gift of water as a source of life, and for one another. Through this shared act of worship, children learn that faith is not only something we talk about, but something we live out together in the heart of our community.

Our well-blessing tradition is also closely linked to the biblical story of Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well. In this encounter, Jesus shows deep respect and dignity to a woman who was often overlooked and excluded, breaking social boundaries to offer her “living water” – a symbol of God’s love, renewal and hope for all people. As we bless the wells, we remember this story and reflect on how Jesus calls us to treat everyone with kindness, understanding and respect, regardless of difference.

For our Year 6 pupils, Ascension Day is especially significant. Dressed in the traditional Blue Coat uniform, they lead the procession through the village, modelling responsibility, leadership and service, and reminding us of the rich heritage of our school and its place within the parish community.

In the days leading up to Ascension Day, children and their families come together to prepare for the celebration. Moss and flowers are used to decorate figures, including two Stars of David, the current year and the word ASCENSION, which are hung from the village wells. Other children carry posies of flowers to lay gently in the water, reinforcing the message of care, gratitude and respect for God’s gifts.

Our annual well-dressing ceremony is a spectacular and prayerful event, and a source of great pride for our children, families and wider community. It brings together past and present, faith and tradition, school and village – enabling us, as one community, to honour God, respect creation and live out our Christian values in a meaningful and memorable way.