Core Values
Our definition of a core value is a central belief clearly understood and shared by every member of the school community. All members of the school community are involved in ensuring these core values are shared and upheld throughout the school. These values have been chosen because we believe that they are the most important values to be shared with the children of our school, and that they will have a big positive influence on the lives and learning of these children. It is our intention that by focusing on these values through many areas of school life including the curriculum, the children of St Michael’s Academy leave with a secure understanding of these values.
Which values are important to us?
We have developed a set of values in collaboration with the staff and children of St Michael’s Academy that we feel are important to all of us.
Positivity
Respect
Integrity
Determination
Expression
Together they form our sixth value: PRIDE.
How are we teaching the values?
Children learn about values primarily through everyday interactions with everyone in the school community. It is through modelling positive behaviour and values that we can all understand our expectations of each other and how we all want to be treated. The Core Values are integral to how we operate at St Michael’s, and are visible in the leadership, curriculum, learning environments
To support this we have a structured approach to assemblies and specific units of work that teach the values and encourage children to deepen their understanding of what the values mean to them. Each half term will focus on a different value:
Autumn 1: Positivity
Autumn 2: Respect
Spring 1: Integrity
Spring 2: Determination
Summer 1: Expression
Summer 2: Pride
Each half term will begin with an focused week of learning that introduces the value to the whole school. Children will then follow a cross-curricular unit of work within class that allows them to explore that value in a number of different ways. This further deepens the children's understanding of the value and the impact it can have on them.
Positivity - it's about approaching life's challenges with a smile on your face
Aim: to encourage the school community to promote a contagious enthusiasm.
Positivity is about...
Being in a good place to learn
Confidence
Approaching situations enthusiastically
Resilience
Our Positive learners will…
Believe in themselves
Persevere
Be constructive with criticism they receive
Encourage others
Be ambitious
Be proud of who they are and where they are from
Be confident to try new things and situations
Be optimistic in their approach
Believe things are achievable
Have a positive attitude towards each other
Go home happy
Our Positive staff will...
Promote the sharing of work
Ensure everyone has the opportunity to contribute to school life
Ensure each pupil has a voice
Teach an understanding of positivity
Support children to deal with negativity appropriately
Reward positive attitudes
Celebrate achievement within the whole school community
Respect - it's treating others as you would wish to be treated
Aim: to create a school environment where everyone feels safe, respected and supported
Respect is about ...
Having regard for the feelings, wishes and rights of others
Taking responsibility for making the right choices
Understanding that diversity is the one thing we all have in common
Our respectful learners will ...
Listen to others
Think before speaking
Treat others as they would wish to be treated
Look after the classroom and the school environment
See others’ differences as strengths
Recognise the benefits of rules and the rule of law
Take responsibility for their actions
Understand the impact their choices may have on others
Respond to instruction positively
Use good manners e.g hold open doors for others
Have a firm understanding of British Values
Help create a positive learning environment
Go home feeling valued
Our respectful staff will ...
Model respectful behaviours in all areas of school life
Show all children that they respect them and care for them
Encourage a school culture of inclusion and respect
Acknowledge children who demonstrate kindness, respect and thoughtfulness
Use positive approaches when educating children about acceptable and unacceptable behaviours
Design learning opportunities that encourage co-operation and compassion
Provide opportunities for children to have their voice heard and to courteously challenge others’ opinions
Create a positive learning environment
Integrity - it's doing the right thing even when no one is watching
Aim: to create a school environment that encourages and rewards making the right choices
Integrity is about...
Knowing right from wrong
Doing the right thing, even when nobody is looking
Developing a moral compass
Being genuine, honest, trustworthy, dependable and caring
Our learners will act with integrity by...
Standing up for what they believe is right
Admitting when they are wrong
Learning from their mistakes
Telling the truth
Being honest with themselves
Remaining humble and modest in victory
Holding their head high in defeat, vowing to come back stronger
Helping those around them who are in need
Taking responsibility for their actions
Showing self-control
Going home knowing they have made good choices
Our staff will promote integrity by...
Giving children opportunities to fail and succeed
Rewarding those who are honest
Recognising those who make the right choice
Teaching an understanding of Integrity
Giving opportunities for children to show inner strength
Guiding children to find the difference between what is right and wrong
Showing their trust in learners
Being responsible role models
Determination - it's not giving up when things get difficult
Aim: to create a school environment where everyone strives to achieve the best outcomes possible
Determination is about...
Not giving up when things get difficult
Showing resilience
Persevering to overcome challenges
Knowing that we can all improve, and knowing how to improve
Our learners will show determination by...
Never giving up
Adopting and developing a growth mindset
Asking for help
Not being afraid to make mistakes
Setting goals and working towards them
Persevering when mistakes are made, and learning from mistakes
Showing courage
Looking for how they can do something, not finding an excuse for why they can’t
Being resilient in the face of adversity
Showing commitment
Going home knowing they have tried their hardest
Our staff will promote determination by...
Showing that challenge presents opportunity
Modelling not giving up
Working tirelessly to ensure that all children achieve the best outcomes possible
Encouraging children to create SMART goals, and assisting them to work towards them
Praising effort and tenacity
Not allowing a culture of excuses
Expression - it's being confident in who we are
Aim: to create a school environment where every single person is able to be the person they want to be
Being able to recognise and explain all feelings
Being able to express themselves through creative arts
Sharing knowledge in differing formats
Performing under pressure
Encouraging others to have the confidence to express themselves
Being able to express opinions in a responsible manner
Sharing personal successes
Sharing personal skills
Having confidence in ourselves
Developing a sense of self
Exploring new interests
Developing oracy and confidence in self presentation
Gaining opportunities to share talents and grow talents
Being aware of peer pressure
Having the self confidence to become their own individual