School Values
Our school ethos is value driven with good values taught integrally to all that we do. We want all our children to grow up valuing themselves, others and the environment.
Values are principles that guide behaviour. At Valley Primary School all adults are encouraged to model values and to give time for reflective practices. We believe that this empowers individuals to be effective learners and good citizens.
We focus in particular on six key values at Valley Primary School. We promote and teach these values to our children with a focus on one in particular each half term to allow us to think about this in more depth.
Each half term begins with a special values assembly focusing on the half terms focus value. Throughout the half term, we particularly celebrate children’s behaviour which embraces this value.
The values we have chosen are:
Please take a look at our values map below to see what each year group will focus on each half term…
British Values
At Valley Primary School, we also take every opportunity to promote British Values, defined by the government as: Democracy, The Rule of Law, Individual Liberty, Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs. We aim to promote these values both in lessons and in extra-curricular activities to ensure our children leave school fully prepared for life in modern Britain.
At Valley Primary School, children are not specifically taught British values; rather they are reinforced regularly. Examples as to how these are integrated into the curriculum are given below:
Democracy:
Children have the opportunity to have their voice heard through the Class Council and School Council. Each class elects two children to stand on the Council, and children understand the responsibility they have in articulating pupil voice. All children will have the opportunity, at the end of the year, to vote for the child in their class who has positively made a significant impact on others throughout the year. This is recognised and rewarded at our end of Year Awards assembly. Children are given the opportunity annually to elect a boy and girl to be House Captain and Vice Captain. Every year, the pupils will complete a questionnaire about school life. These positions of responsibility are based purely on children votes. Each class produces a class charter of rules and all children have the opportunity to contribute to these.
The Rule of Law:
The importance of laws, whether they govern the class, the school or the country, is consistently reinforced at Valley Primary. Children are taught the value and the reasons behind rules and laws; that they protect us and give structure to our lives and the responsibilities we all have to follow them. They are also taught that breaking rules will result in a consequence. Visits from authorities such as the Police and the Fire Service help to reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty:
Children are actively encouraged to make decisions within a safe and supportive environment. They are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to do so safely. We aim to provide an empowering education for all children through the wider curriculum.
Mutual Respect:
Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on others and that they are responsible for ensuring all members of the school community are treated appropriately. They understand how we show respect through our actions and words.
Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs:
Valley Primary is a diverse school where we actively share our pupils’ diversity through a range of celebratory events. Our extensive SMSC provision alongside our Religious Education and PSHE lessons reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others. Members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within the classroom and across the school. Children visit a range of places of worship during their time at Valley Primary School.