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 focussing 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 assembly 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. Following this, each half term there will also be a year-group assembly that parents will be invited to which will allow children to express their learning of the value.
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