Vision and Values (including British Values)
Our Mission is...
To create a learning community that is prepared for an ever changing future; that believes in the unlimited potential to improve themselves and others in the world around them.
At Aylesham Primary School, our values shape everything we do. Rooted in the belief that all children can grow in confidence, character and curiosity, our values framework encourages every child to dig deep when learning something new and to expand their minds through meaningful learning experiences.
Everyone in our school is entitled to three basic rights: The right to learn, the right to be treated with respect and the right to be safe.
To help us achieve this, we follow the Aylesham MIND, a set of values and learning behaviours that guide how we learn, treat one another, and face challenges.
The Aylesham MIND:
These values are brought to life through clear, child-friendly behaviours that help pupils understand what it looks like to live them out each day. Our learning behaviours encourage both academic success and personal growth.
We talk about our values in assemblies, display them proudly in classrooms, and celebrate children who show them in action.
By working together, school, home and community, we aim to build not just great learners, but kind, resilient young people ready to thrive in the world.
Convention on the Rights of the Child
At Aylesham Primary School we respect the rights of the children and adults in our school family, community and beyond and aim for each school policy to adhere to articles from the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child.
As part of our whole school vision, we are working towards the following articles:
- Article 3 - The best interests of the child must be a top priority in all things that affect them
- Article 13 - Every child must be free to say what they think and to seek and receive all kinds of information
- Article 28 - Every child has the right to an education
- Article 29 - Education must develop every child’s personality, talents and abilities to the full
- Article 31 - Every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural and artistic activities
British Values
We aim to actively promote British values in school to ensure our children leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. Children are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law.
The Key Values are:
- democracy
- rule of law
- individual liberty
- mutual respect
- tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
At Aylesham Primary School, these values are reinforced regularly and are incorporated into our daily life together through our curriculum and we work on these in the following ways:
Democracy
Pupil’s voice plays a big part of life across the school. Some of the ways this is represented are through pupil school councils and UNICEF ambassadors, house captains, buddies and pupil suggestion boxes. Pupils and staff elect members for a variety of posts and are encouraged to write application letters in order to be considered. Applications demonstrate a great deal of insight into the pupil’s level of understanding, sense of responsibility and empathy towards each other. Through this process pupils develop a respect for democracy and the democratic process.
Our school behaviour policy involves rewards and consequences; this is shared through all aspects of school life and also shared with parents, carers and children from Reception to Year 6.
Pupil questionnaires and interviews are also conducted throughout the year.
These, alongside other opportunities will sow the seeds for a more sophisticated understanding of democracy in the future.
The Rule of Law
Our pupils will encounter rules and laws throughout their entire lives. We want our pupils to understand that whether these laws govern the class, the school, the neighbourhood or the country, they are set for good reasons and must be adhered to. This understanding of the importance of rules will be consistently reinforced through assemblies and our curriculum, and indeed through regular and consistent high expectations demonstrated and modelled by staff and other pupils.
The involvement of pupils in the creation of class rules and expectations (Class Charters) and, where appropriate, personal plans helps them to understand the reasons behind rules and the consequences when rules are broken. Through SMSC we aim to support pupils to distinguish between right and wrong. Our core learning skills curriculum provides pupils with a focus on taking responsibility and ownership of the decisions that they make. Pupils are able to discuss rules and how they relate to criminal and civil law within society. Through this, they deepen understanding of the importance of rules and laws for their own and others protection. Throughout the year we welcome visits from members of the wider community including the police, the fire brigade and many more. This enables pupils to acquire a broad and general knowledge of, and respect for, public institutions and services in Britain. We believe that clear expectations and real life accounts emphasise the importance of the rule of Law of our pupils. We support the pupils to understand how they can positively contribute to those living and working in the community within the school and socially as a whole.
Individual Liberty
We invest a great deal of time to create a positive culture across the school in order that children are taught within a safe environment where choice and freedom are encouraged. Pupils are encouraged to risk take and be challenged. At an early age pupils are encouraged to determine their own learning based on interests. Through E-safety, a focus on SMSC and PSHE sessions, we educate pupils on their rights and personal freedom whilst supporting them on how to exercise these rights safely. Pupils are encouraged to debate topics and be able to express opinions. We strive to enable pupils to develop self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence. Throughout the school we believe that valuing choice and freedom in daily school life will foster a value for individual liberty as pupils embark upon their adult lives.
Mutual Respect
As a school which holds values at the core of its ethos, our School Vision and Behaviour policy have evolved around Core Values such as ‘Respect’ and pupils have been part of discussions and collective worship related to what this means and how it is shown. Our school has both pupils and adults representing different ethnic groups with a range of languages. Respect is taught within lessons, collective worship and within the ethos of becoming a ‘Rights Respecting School’. It is shared with home through newsletters and website information. Our pupils and staff work together with absolute respect for each other no matter what differences may exist. Our core learning skills promote support for each other and the valuable contributions we all make to our community.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs and for those who have none
At Aylesham Primary School we are becoming an increasingly culturally rich and diverse school where children have unique opportunities to learn from each other by sharing and celebrating their different faiths and cultures. Our locality means that we are part of, and surrounded by diversity which we celebrate and respect. We offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which all major religions are studied and respected. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. We believe that tolerance is gained through knowledge and understanding. We strive to demonstrate tolerance and help pupils to become knowledgeable and understanding citizens who can build and be part of a better Britain for the future.