Christian values are at the heart of this school ‘like writing through a stick of rock.’
Children today live in a complex and confusing world – a world in which progress and self-gain are often achieved only at the expense of understanding and compassion.
Our children have to learn to be in that world, to take their place in it, to observe and respond to it and to deal with even complex and troubling situations in a socially acceptable way.
Our programme of Values Education provides the children in our care with a set of values against which to judge the world. It empowers them to make their own judgements and decisions and to do so from a position of strength and self-respect. It provides them with the language to articulate, to empathise and to think issues through successfully. At its best, it enables children to reach the freedom to make choices by reflecting and thinking deeply; creating understanding and then wisdom (sometimes called spiritual intelligence) within a supportive, empathetic and non-judgemental environment. It provides an inner confidence, deeply and positively founded.
Building upon a sense of right and wrong, our children learn to grow as reflective learners able to deal with failure and learn from making mistakes. They gradually gain true independence of mind and action, form positive relationships and develop a clear sense of social responsibility. The self-knowledge and peace of mind that this process leads to is essential to concentration, observation, analysis and learning. There is no need for unhelpful, attention-seeking behaviour of any sort.
As a Church of England school, we would describe the Values as those principles and characteristics displayed by Jesus throughout His ministry and teaching and by His own example. Recognised by Christians as integral to their faith, these are nevertheless universally esteemed by people of any faith or none as values by which to live a good life. These Values provide all our children – and indeed our whole school community – with a moral code by which to live and a firm foundation and standard against which to evaluate the experiences of life.
These Values include:
- trust,
- unselfish love,
- respect for all and for self,
- care for others,
- tolerance,
- responsibility,
- kindness,
- happiness,
- unity,
- honesty,
- compassion,
- faith,
- commitment,
- courage,
- peace,
- truth,
- justice,
- forgiveness,
- reconciliation,
- patience,
- hope,
- humility,
- risk,
- freedom and faith.
Values may be selected by staff as relevant to the school at the time: by parents as working with and supporting their home values; or occasionally by the children in response to particular need. Selecting one for each half term, on a two year programme, these Values become the focus and unifying theme for our worship, whether church or school led and underpin all relationships (including behaviour management) in school.
Through Collective Worship, PSHE, and Circle Times, as well as class, group and individual work, Values Education underpins and supports the child’s entire school experience – from curriculum to relationships and play. The children reflect upon the values and learn to ‘live’ them, to own and to use them in their everyday lives. Thus they are enabled to become confident learners for life – personally responsible, yet successfully interacting with others.