Values

Our school rules.pdf

Our Values Education

At St. Michael's  Primary School it is our aim to raise standards by promoting a school ethos which is underpinned by core values. These values support the development of the whole child as a reflective learner within a calm, caring, happy and purposeful atmosphere. The values we follow are Christian based and are based on a four-year rolling program. 

 

Values-based Education IS British Values, PSHE and SMSC

Values-based Education (VbE) is truly transformational, providing a structure for a positive ethos that impacts on the whole school community. It has a direct influence on the entire curriculum, and most specifically on Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development, Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE), and of course on the teaching of British Values.

 

Values-Based Education and Spiritual, Social, Moral and Cultural Education (SMSC) 

The framework of VbE offers an assured foundation for the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development of pupils. School assemblies and lessons focus on the values progressively so that pupils deepen and challenge their understanding. Through exploring a selection of positive values in depth, pupils learn what these mean to them and their lives, and what application they have for other people and the wider world. The enactment of these values in shared behaviours, shared language and spiritual reflection across the school enables pupils to develop both their cognitive understanding and their personal ‘Inner Curriculum.’ Moreover, the practice of VbE infuses the ethos and culture of the school, meaning that a child’s entire school experience furthers their spiritual, social and cultural development


Values-Based Education and Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) 

VbE provides a welcome structure for teaching the PSHE curriculum at Key Stages 1 and 2. The exploration of a school’s chosen values easily facilitates the teaching and learning requirements in this curriculum area. Through considering a range of values, pupils learn about healthy lifestyles, developing relationships and respecting differences between people, playing an active role as citizens and developing confidence and responsibility to make the most of their talents and skills. Pupils at a values-based school find PSHE accessible and enjoyable because of their well-developed ethical vocabulary and reasoning skills.

 

Values-Based Education and British Values

Schools are required to teach pupils about the British Values of:
Tolerance
Respect
Individual Liberty
The Rule of Law and
Democracy    

  
Children are taught how their school values underpin everything their school does and this gives a meaningful context for British Values, supporting their understanding of how they underpin our society. Values-based schools ensure that British Values are introduced, discussed and lived out through the wider values-based philosophy that infuses the ethos and work of the school. All curriculum areas provide a vehicle for furthering understanding of these concepts so that pupils can embrace these concepts with enthusiasm and demonstrate a good understanding of their application to their own lives.

The skills and attributes developed through the teaching of values are known to enhance the curriculum and pupils’ learning behaviours, and raise attainment, attendance and pupil wellbeing.


Prayer school to home values.docx

Prayer

This value has looked at the importance of prayer across religions. We have been focusing on The Lord's Prayer and looking at each section to explore its meaning further. 

Remembrance

During the month of November, the pupils at St. Michael's learn about Remembrance Day and why it is important. 

The school's Worship Ambassadors led a child-led Collective Worship where they reflected on what remembrance means and why it is important and read out their own prayers. 

Year 3 completed artwork and poetry that has been put on display at Princess Alexandra Hospital as part of the hospital's  Remembrance commemorations. 

Getting dressed in our values!

We talk to the children about how we can dress ourselves in the morning with our values to guide us through each day and help us be the best person we can be. We also talk about our 'backpack for life' where we give them all of these tools, the values, to take with them on their journey through life, beyond their time at St.Michaels. 

Humility

You can demonstrate humility by:

By looking at the actions of others, it can inspire us to be more humble.

Humility.docx

Justice

We have been focusing upon the value of justice.

We have explored justice as: 


Judging what is right

Understanding what is fair

Standing up for those who need help

Trying to listen to both sides

Informed and wise decisions

Caring enough to take action

Equal opportunities for all


For some, injustice can bring pain and a loss of hope. It is not until justice is served that hope is restored.

For others who are facing injustice, hope is extremely valuable to them, and allows them to believe that change will happen.

As part of this work, we explored the concept of homelessness and found out about how in South Africa, changes are being made to bring justice to those without a home. We had a homeless shelter in our reflective area which demonstrated what life might be like sleeping on the streets. We were encouraged to spend time inside to reflect on the injustices within the world and how we could help to start making differences. 



Making a difference/Thankfulness

This Autumn Term we are building on our value of 'service' and thinking about how we can use our talents to serve others and ultimately make a difference to each other and those around us. We have also paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and the many years of service she gave and the difference she made across the globe. As part of our Summer service we wrote on hands and how we can help others and have created our own thankfulness 'gratitude' tree. 


Koinonia

Our current value, which we have been beginning to explore in our collective worship sessions, is ‘Koinonia’. It is a very appropriate value for now as this is the first chance we have had to come back together as a whole school community and begin to rebuild relationships and routines. We have been thinking about teamwork, not only as a class but working together as a whole school. We have linked this to our school vision of ‘lifelong learning’ and the kind of people we want our pupils to be when they leave St. Michaels and the skills we want them to have. With the children, we have explored the concept of leadership and the importance of compassion when leading people along with the concept that each and every person can make a difference around them and that in coming together then we can spread that difference even further. Please do talk to your children to find out more about our collective worship and values education.

GOOD TO BE ME 

Some Year 4 pupils created these posters for their reflective area in their classroom to reflect our value for this term.

Joshua 1:9     

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." 

Jeremiah 29:11    

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." 

Luke 12:6-7     

"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows." 

Philippians 4:13  

"I can do all things through him who strengthens me."