Our Values

St Michael's Vision

To provide a nurturing learning environment, and a curriculum that:

develops character

teaches lifelong learning skills

fosters creativity

provides opportunities for exploration

so that all pupils can experience:

LIFE IN ALL ITS FULLNESS (John 10:10)

Curriculum Drivers

CD1 – People Skills: communication and confidence

CD2 - Learning Skills: attitude and aspiration

CD3 – Creativity: culture and heritage

CD4 – Exploration: discovery and adventure

Christian Values

Our Curriculum Tree and Curriculum Drivers (CDs) have been linked to 5 key values, all underpinned in Love:

Friendship - in our relationships (including forgiveness, trust) - linked to CD1

Wisdom - in our learning (including responsibility) – linked to CD2     

Perseverance - in our creativity (including humility, hope) – linked to CD3

Respect - in our attitude to the world and all people (including peace, justice) – linked to CD4

RE half termly home learning incorporates all our values:

Autumn 1                 CD1 -  friendship (including trust) 

Autumn 2                 Advent/Christmas (including love and peace)

Spring 1                     CD2 - wisdom (including responsibility) 

Spring 2                     Lent/Easter (including forgiveness and hope) 

Summer 1                 CD3 / perseverance (including humility) 

Summer 2                 CD4 / respect (including justice) 

Promoting British Values

In line with the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015, the Governing Body and staff have due regard to the need to prevent people being drawn into terrorism.  The staff at St Michael's receive Prevent training to ensure there are clear procedures across the school community and particularly in relation to pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development.

The DfE have reinforced the obligation for 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.  Actively promoting these values means challenging opinions and behaviours that are contrary to, or undermine these values.  At St Michael's British values are reinforced regularly through the SMSC provision that permeates all we do. 

Democracy

Pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour and understand how they can contribute positively to society.  Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our elected House Captains, School Council, Eco Council and Collective Worship Group as well as through worry boxes, pupil questionnaires and interviews. 

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school or the country are consistently reinforced during the school day, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through assemblies and collective worship.  Pupils are taught to distinguish between right and wrong and to understand that laws are there to govern and protect us.  We teach children about rights and responsibilities and support them to understand about consequences when rules or laws are broken.  We use the strategy of 'reflect and repair' to help children to learn from their mistakes.

Individual Liberty

Pupils are actively encouraged to make choices at school, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.  Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons.

Respect

Our school ethos and behaviour policy revolve around Core Christian Values.  In RE lessons we develop children's knowledge and understanding of all religions represented in this country.  There are opportunities for enhancing pupils' understanding of our culturally diverse society and to experience that diversity, for example by visits to places of worship other than Christian churches. Members of different faiths, religions and cultures within the school are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning and to promote harmony and respect between different cultural traditions. Assemblies and discussions help children to understand that any form of bullying, including prejudice based bullying, is unacceptable.