Vision & Values
Our School Aims
To ensure
- delivery of an enriching curriculum in which we constantly strive to raise and maintain our high standards
- that the school environment is colourful, stimulating and well cared for
- that the school reflects and promote the excitement and enjoyment of the children's learning
To enable
- children and staff to achieve success which can be celebrated and built upon
- progression so that we can extend each child by defining achievable targets and appropriate challenges
To foster
- values and promote learning in a happy and positive atmosphere
To value
- each child as an individual
- good relationships between parents/carers, staff and children, this is essential for successful learning
- and expect the support of parent/carers in a partnership role to support and encourage children's learning
- each member of our learning community
- the support of our governors and members of the wider community
To encourage
- all children to value and respect each other
- encourage positive attitudes to school and life long learning, acknowledge different interests, strengths and ways of learning, meeting individual needs
- children to have due regard for their own property and that of others
- good relations and links between the school and the wider community of which we are a part, so that all may benefit
Our School Values
The school has four values which are central to school expectations. They are displayed in the main halls and in each classroom. They are discussed with the children and used as a basis for class rules.
- Respect
- Responsibility
- Reflection
- Resilience
School Houses
At Meadowside Primary School, our children are separated into 6 Houses:
- Oak
- Rowan
- Sycamore
- Willow
- Chestnut
- Birch
Children have the opportunity to earn House Points by demonstrating our school values, producing outstanding efforts and outcomes in their work as well as showing great manners. The house that earns the most points in a term will be eligible for a special prize!
SMSC and British Values
Spiritual, Moral, Social & Cultural Development
At Meadowside Primary School, we recognise that the personal development of pupils, spiritually, morally, socially and culturally plays a significant part in their ability to learn and achieve. We therefore aim to provide an education that provides children with opportunities to explore and develop their own values and beliefs, spiritual awareness, high standards of personal behaviour, a positive caring attitude towards other people, an understanding of their social and cultural traditions and an appreciation of the diversity and richness of other cultures. This is embedded throughout all aspects of school life.
The aims of our SMSC education programme are:
- to ensure pupils’ education at Meadowside Primary School is holistic rather than focussed narrowly on purely academic aspects of learning.
- to provide pupils with a rounded education, including learning how to work and play together, understanding and respecting others’ points of view, respecting and applying rules and understanding why these exist.
- to prepare pupils to contribute to society and culture throughout their lives, and enable them to participate actively and positively in the life of the school, their local community and wider society.
- to encourage pupils to value themselves and their unique contributions to their own and others’ lives, and in turn to value and celebrate others and their qualities and abilities.
British Values at Meadowside
Our aim at Meadowside Primary School is to encourage pupils to develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in Britain. We actively promote the fundamental British Values and this forms part of our wider work in school with children in relation to their Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education (SMSC).
The British Values, as defined by the government, are:
- Democracy
- The Rule of Law
- Individual Liberty
- Mutual Respect
- Tolerance of different Faiths and Beliefs
We teach a broad and balanced curriculum that teaches elements of democracy, rules and laws, the monarchy, equality, values and virtues, environmental awareness and understanding of different faiths. Actively promoting British Values also refers to challenging pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values. At Meadowside, values of tolerance and respect permeate all areas of school life. This creates a climate within which pupils feel safe and secure and therefore allows them to learn and develop. Pupil voice plays an integral part in driving the schools forward.
These British Values are promoted throughout the curriculum, across the whole school. They are also seen in the school ethos, policies, assemblies, special events and cultural celebrations. The following are a selection of activities that are evidence of our commitment to British Values.
We teach children about Democracy through:
- Children being involved in democratic processes e.g. voting for pupil councillors, rewards and incentives
- Junior Leadership Team
- Head and Deputy boys and girls
- Check in/ check out – discussing issues and forming opinions
- Visit from Governor/Local Councillor
- Assemblies
We teach children about Rule of Law through:
- School behaviour policy
- Reflecting of behaviour and learning during lessons
- Parent/ carer questionnaires about behaviour
- Visits from Police
- Assemblies
We teach children about Individual Liberty through:
- Understanding responsibility in school in terms of behaviour and learning attitudes
- Pupil roles in school – ambassadors, Sports Crew, Science Ambassadors
- School values
- Local and national fundraising
- Community links – residential home, food bank
- Assemblies
- Well-being
- Challenging stereotyping and bias
- Anti-bullying
We teach children about Mutual Respect through:
- PSHE curriculum and assemblies
- Positive relationships encouraged and modelled
- Inclusive ethos
- RE curriculum
- Anti bullying assembly
- Sports Day
- Trips – wider community
- Visitors
- Peer assessment
We teach children about Tolerance through:
- Assemblies – stories from world faiths and cultures
- Visitors
- RE curriculum
- Reflection opportunities in assemblies
- School curriculum
- Inclusive school
- Special assemblies – Harvest, Christingle, Remembrance Day
- PSHE curriculum
