Our Vision and Purpose
An exceptional school for everyone.
We believe that the primary school experience plays an integral role in our pupil’s right to a happy, successful and memorable childhood. Every day, we aspire to make our school the best possible environment and experience for our pupils. Allowing pupils to thrive and excel because they are cherished and valued – academically, socially and emotionally.
Our ethos is our practice
At Heyes Lane, everything we believe and value is at the heart of everything we do.
If our vision is realised every day, we believe we will have played our significant part in contributing to happy, successful and memorable childhoods. Our pupils will be prepared to embark on the next stage of their life journey – they will think intuitively and flexibly, be imaginative and innovative, communicate well and be able to work as part of a team. They will be responsible citizens, empowered learners and self-confident and proud in who they are. Together with their academic achievements, we believe these are the life skills and capital that will open doors for them and set them on the best possible track for self-fulfilment and happiness.
Our vision and purpose is underpinned by our five core Beliefs and Values.
Beliefs
Our five defining core beliefs:
We believe that by promoting a culture of achievement, every pupil will want to be the best they can be in all that they do. We place each and every pupil at the heart of their own learning and success. Expectations are high for all.
We believe that by championing individuality and personal growth, we allow our pupils to blossom and flourish. To be confident in who they are and to care deeply about themselves and others.
By designing a dynamic curriculum for today’s learners, we believe our pupils have the opportunity to immerse themselves in an exceptional and memorable curriculum. We innovate and adapt our curriculum to ensure it continually reflects our ever-changing world and gives our pupils the skills they will need to be successful in their futures.
We believe that teaching should inspire and lead to learning that lasts. Learning must be compelling and exciting and ignite curiosity. We use our teaching expertise to ensure learning is highly effective across all lessons.
We believe in trust, honesty and fairness; so we nurture our pupils to become active and ethical citizens. We want our children to grow up with a desire to make the world a better place; to care about themselves, their community and the wider world.
Values
Our five defining core values:
A positive mindset
An active approach
A creative outlook
A connected environment
A caring nature
British Values
September 2015
The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated in the New National Curriculum 2014. At Heyes Lane these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy
The children at Heyes Lane have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. We have a school council which meets regularly to discuss issues raised in class council meetings. The council members for each class are voted in by their peers and take their role very seriously. All children have an annual questionnaire with which they are able to put forward their views about the school.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout the school day, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it be through their choice of learning challenge, of how they record it, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual Respect
Mutual respect is at the heart of our values at Heyes Lane. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect and follow our golden rule of ‘treat others as you wish to be treated’.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
Heyes Lane is situated in an area which is not greatly culturally diverse; therefore we place a great emphasis on promoting diversity with the children. Assemblies are regularly planned to address this issue either directly or through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures. Our weekly RE and PSHE teaching reinforces this. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.
At Heyes Lane we will actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.