“Let All That You Do Be Done In Love” - Worstead’s Vision & Values

 

Our Vision: For each of our children to communicate and learn across a broad and memorable range of arts, sciences and humanities, unafraid to work hard and challenge themselves to do their best, in a caring, safe and inclusive school where everyone is valued.

 

Our children will learn to read, then read to learn. As they grow through their education and look forward to a bright future, we will foster productive, kind and thoughtful relationships, and they will communicate confidently, develop spiritual understanding, apply their broad knowledge and skill, and enjoy creative and sporting pursuits: “Life in all its fullness” (John 10:10)

 

Values: “Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14) is our school motto. We will nurture and educate the whole child to prepare them for “life in all its fullness”,underpinned by Christian values and the key elements of wisdom, hope, community and dignity. These concepts are simplified for children to encompass five school values which are planned for, promoted, recognised and celebrated:

• Respect
• Kindness
• Ambition 
• Curiosity
• Resilience

 

Respect

We respect each other, ourselves and the world around us. We encourage reverence of the world God has created. We understand the feelings of others and seek to help by showing compassion and forgiveness.

 

Kindness

We are supportive, warm, friendly and caring and show our love and friendship towards others at all times. We are approachable and willing to listen and show that we go the extra mile to help and be of service to others.

 

Ambition

We inspire each other by offering hope and encouragement and by setting a good example through our own behaviours. We are creative and innovative and use our special gifts to express original ideas and solve problems.

 

Curiosity

We are inquisitive, curious and keen to understand. We share our awe and wonder of the world around us.

 

Resilience

We are independent learners and people. We show endurance by persevering in all things. We are confident in our own abilities and willing to try new things, as well as being confident in those around us.

 

We believe children will achieve these aims by experiencing:

• A safe, secure, stimulating and inclusive learning environment
• A broad, balanced, child-centred curriculum which reflects the community in which we live, work and the wider world
• High quality creative teaching which supports and challenges all learners
• An ethos which is underpinned by Christian values
• An opportunity to reflect upon their own and others’ beliefs, cultures and values
• A learning partnership between school, parents, carers, governors and the community
• Challenging, age appropriate opportunities to develop spiritual, moral, social and mental well being

To ensure we meet these aims we will:

• Give high priority to well-being for all
• Place safeguarding at the forefront of all we do
• Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of teaching, learning and the personal progress of every child
• Have a coherent and relevant programme of professional development for all staff
• Ensure learning resources are up to date and financial resources are well managed
• Provide opportunities for children to explore Christian beliefs, morals and values through both teaching and educational visits
• Provide opportunities for children to express their views through the School Council and Climate Council
• Celebrate children’s achievements and attendance
• Through good communication with parents/carers, governors and the community, involve them in school life 

British Values and our Curriculum

The DfE have recently reinforced the need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.” The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values were reiterated again in 2014.

 

At Worstead CEVC Primary School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy

Each year the children decide upon their class rules and the rights associated with these. All the children contribute to the drawing up of the rules. We have two student councils which meet regularly to discuss issues raised from classes, relating to their areas of responsibility. These councils are Climate Council (previously Eco Council) and School Council, and all are genuinely able to effect change within the school. They are voted for by children, at an annual hustings event in the hall. For example, Eco Councillors pushed for a move to paper-free newsletters for parents, and School Councillors promoted different charitable days. Children, parents and staff have an annual questionnaire where they are able to put forward their views about the school and this is monitored by governors and acted upon where appropriate. We have close links with local councillors and our local MP, Sir Norman Lamb, has visited the school several times to talk with classes and School Councillors. We also bi-annually visit the Houses of Parliament for a Member's Tour. 

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Worstead School. Pupils are taught from an early age the rules of the school. There are our class rules, playground rules and e-safety procedures. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Events organised with authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message.

Individual Liberty

At Worstead Primary School, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our online safety, Forest School and PSHE lessons.

Mutual Respect

Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect. We believe that respect for the environment is also of paramount importance and this is promoted through our Forest Schools curriculum and by our Climate Council.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Worstead Primary is a small rural school but we feel that it is critical to actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures. Religious Education lessons and PSHE teaching reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others. Members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. Our school welcomes families of religious or non-religious background equally.