Vision and Values
MOTTO
Together we can achieve more
OUR MORAL PURPOSE
At Highfield we strive to provide each child with the tools they need to become their very best selves. We aim to instil within them the skills and values which will enable everyone to positively contribute to the diverse world we live in.
OUR VISION
We will:
- Ensure that all pupils at Highfield continue to access an exceptional education that will equip them with the skills, knowledge and values to lead successful lives.
- Support every child to feel confident in critically analysing the amazing and diverse world we live in.
- Enable all children to be independent thinkers, to be resilient and curious to learn and to be aware of the impact of their interaction with, and responsibility for, the immediate and wider environment.
- Offer all pupils equity of opportunity.
Through our curriculum reflect and value cultural diversity that the school has and use it to enrich children’s experience and understanding; to help recognise and counter discrimination and prejudice of all kinds.
- Promote and celebrate our Core Values of Respect, Cooperation and Kindness.
We achieve this by:
- Having a curriculum that is focused on giving all children the knowledge, skills and values they need to lead successful lives.
- Through engaging teaching that effectively uses questioning, feedback and retrieval so that all children are engaged in their learning and what they have learnt is embedded in their long-term memory
- Providing a stimulating learning environment to encourage investigative and meaningful engagement with the learning process.
- Providing excellent learning opportunities beyond the classroom for all children.
- By knowing every child well and as a result being able to effectively provide the support and challenge that each child needs to succeed.
- Raising self-esteem and self-worth through celebrating all of our children’s success, not only in their academic achievement but also in how they show the values of our school through how they treat others.
- Promoting a high standard of behaviour in our school community through our curriculum that enables all children to understand our values and live by them. We are proactive in speaking to children and parents about their views of behaviour in the school and addressing their concerns.
- Understanding the role that the school has in showing every child the positive role that they can have in the wider community.
- We work in close partnership with parents, carers and community.
- We celebrate the diversity of our school and local area and play a central role in our local community.
In an environment which is:
- Safe and nurturing
- Fun, exciting and purposeful
- Respectful and inclusive
- Well resourced
Our Values
At Highfield we have three core values; Cooperation, Kindness and Respect. They are at the heart of everything we do at the school. They are how we act towards each and how we expect others to act towards us. They are threaded through our curriculum so they are meaningful and understood by the children.
Every term the School council choose a 4th value. This term they have chosen ‘Courage’.
What we say about our values
We asked children, staff, parents and governors what our school values mean to them.
Children
Cooperation
How can we show the value of cooperation to each other?
Togetherness, team work, everyone takes part, talking and listening to share ideas, working together to achieve things, taking turns, playing with everyone, joining in games
How can we show cooperation to teachers?
Eye-contact, teamwork, listening, sharing, working together, patience, good manners.
Kindness
How can we show the value of kindness to each other?
Show new children around, play with others, stand up for others, help others if they are hurt, support each other to learn, smile, share, listen, let someone play with you, cheer each other up, give compliments, teach someone to do something, help each other achieve.
How can we show kindness to teachers?
Follow the rules, work hard, help to tidy up, smile, listen
Respect
How can we show respect to each other?
Listen to people’s thoughts and feelings, listen to others, respect others feelings, don’t interrupt when someone’s working, don’t make fun of people, respect each others’ cultures, be kind and polite.
Staff
How can we show our core values each other?
Cooperation
By sharing ideas and resources, supporting one another, getting involved and being helpful, respect for all, empathy and understanding, flexibility.
Kindness
Give people time, work as a team, listen to each other, set an example for the children, show empathy and understanding
Respect
Value others point of view, embrace and support new iniatives, respect differences, support and encourage one another.
How can we show our values to children?
Cooperation
Be friendly and approachable, develop a positive, trusting relationship, acknowledge all steps in progress, regardless of how small they may seem, be the child’s voice when required, praise children for showing perseverance.
Kindness
Create a culture where making mistakes is okay, always be welcoming and smile, provide a safe and secure environment, always be approachable, be inclusive.
Respect
Value each child as an individual, show appreciation for what they do, follow up issues where needed, always be clear and consistent.
How can we show our values to parents?
Cooperation
Giving ideas and guidance for learning, being friendly and approachable, work together with parents, listen.
Kindness
Recognising each child as an individual with unique needs, being fair, being trustworthy, having a calm and friendly manner, be approachable.
Respect
Listen, treat parents as you would want to be treated, respect differences, establish positive lines of communication, respond to concerns.
Parents
How can we show the school values to staff?
Show patience re convenient times to meet, support the school values, understand their challenges, support the children by helping with homework, be polite and respectful, be open minded.
How can we show the school values to each other?
Support each other, be friendly and helpful, be accepting of different cultures, show kindness
How can we show the school values to children?
Help children have a good night’s sleep, support the school’s ethos, talk to children about how to deal with difficult situations, encourage respect and tolerance for others.
Governors
How do you show the school’s values in your role as a governor?
Being open to talk to parents who have queries; Being understanding and patient when talking to school; Respect for the huge amount of work and commitments of all members of staff in the school; Respect for the policies and procedures that must be followed, have constructive discussions with subject leads and hold the school to account.
Our 3 Jars
At Highfield we have 3 jars which represent 3 words that are very important to us:
RESPECT, CO-OPERATION & KINDNESS.
Click here for 3 Jars information
CHARTER
HIGHFIELD’S CHILDREN’S CHARTER
Our children talked about their Rights and their Responsibilities
As part of our original charter the children decided what qualities make a “good teacher and a good pupil”
All these ideas were put into Highfield’s Childrens Charter.
In 2014 we extended our Charter and looked at the
‘United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child’ (with Unicef)
The Chair of the School Council and the Headteacher both agree and sign the declaration every year.
Click here to see our Children’s Charter 2023-24.