Vision, Mission & Values

Our academy is part of Academies Enterprise Trust (AET).

Academies Enterprise Trust (AET) is a national family of schools dedicated to education that inspires all the young people in our care to choose to lead a remarkable life. It is our deeply held belief that every child has something remarkable to offer and we see it as our duty to help each and every child find this within themselves.

Inspiring each child to choose a remarkable life is the golden thread that binds us all together - the reason that despite our very different paths to AET, we are all part of one family.

Everything we do, every decision we make and the way in which we behave is focused on achieving that end goal and underpinned by our values.

MISSION

We will provide an excellent education to every child in every classroom every day

With excellent leadership and teaching we will help children go on to lead happy and successful lives

We will work with others beyond our network to benefit children and their  community

VISION

At  Hazelwood Academy we want each and every child inspired to choose a Remarkable Life.

VALUES

Be big hearted

At Hazelwood Academy we commit to being big-hearted. We choose to treat each other with kindness, warmth and care, believing that everybody matters and believing in one another. 

Be unusually brave

As an AET academy, we choose to be unusually brave. We're not afraid to challenge wrongs, to make the right call, even when it's both unusual and difficult to do so. 

Push the limits

We always strive to push the limits. We don't settle for less than excellent and we won't allow our pupils to either. We resolve to overcome any self-imposed limits. 

Discover whats possible

We are on the search for discovering what's possible. At Barton Hill Academy we look to create 'eureka moments' for our pupils, helping them discover a world of possibilities and opportunities. 

BRITISH VALUES

Hazelwood Academy is committed to serving its community. It recognises the multi-cultural, multi faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. It also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the Academy are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.

The Academy accepts admissions from all those entitled to an education under British law, including pupils of all faiths or none. It follows the policies outlined by the Academies Enterprise Trust regarding equal opportunities, which guarantee that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. It seeks to serve all.

The Government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools. The government set out its definition of British values in the ‘Prevent Strategy’ – values of:


The DfE have recently reinforced the need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all 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.”

Democracy

Each year pupils at Hazelwood Academy decide upon their class charter and the rights associated with these. All the children contribute to the drawing up of the charter. Children 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 year group members are voted in by their peers- a process resembling a polling station and ballot papers to enable the children to experience a real-life democratic situation. The council has its own budget and is able to genuinely effect change within 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 regular school days, 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 help reinforce this message.

 

Individual Liberty

Within the Academy, 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 and visits from our local PCSOs. Whether it be through choice of learning challenge, of how they record, or participation in our extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

 

Mutual Respect

Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. 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 our RE and PSHE teaching further reinforce this.

 

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Hazelwood Academy is situated in an area which is culturally diverse; therefore we endeavour to broaden pupil’s knowledge and promote diversity within the Academy. 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 RE and PSHE teaching reinforce this. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the Academy.

 

The Academy uses strategies within the National curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for pupils. Here are some examples of when British values are shared:

Curriculum 

Our curriculum prepares children for life in British Society; this includes developing the understanding and use of money, effective reading and writing skills, collaboration and discussion to research ideas and concepts. Our curriculum includes historical and geographical study in the context of the United Kingdom as well as national and international comparisons.  We use the Ark Curriculum Plus to provide pupils with strong, knowledge based learning. Examples of some areas of study include: World War I, The Great Fire of London, Global Challenges and The Industrial Revolution . Visitors are also invited into the school- We have visits from paramedics at the Wiltshire Air Ambulance, the local PSCO and a local Police officer who have all helped to reinforce messages about individual liberty, mutual respect and the law. 


Daily acts of collective worship/ whole school assembly

Our assemblies promote our Jigsaw PSHE and British Values. 

Our Academy values are embedded in our ethos and behaviour policy.

Our Friday assemblies celebrate pupil’s achievement from the week and reflect on how they have worked towards achieving one of the Academy values.

 

PSHE

Mutual respect is also taught within PSHE and RE lessons and in an informal nature throughout the Academy days. 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 policy and PSHE work on keeping myself safe. During PSHE lessons, circle time takes place in every class and is used to discuss issues and resolve problems. 


RE

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs is promoted in RE as children gain a greater understanding of religious diversity and practices for those religions represented in the UK. At Hazelwood Academy, we follow Swindon’s locally agreed syllabus across all year groups. Christianity is taught across every year group with Christmas and Easter explored in each year group, developing on children’s previous learning. Other religions including Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism are also incorporated throughout the scheme. In the Early Years, RE is taught to enable children to learn about many of the different religious festivals and then children are able to apply their knowledge in child initiated learning. We use the Discovery RE resource to support the implementation of the syllabus. 


PE

Promotion of the concept of “fair play”, following and developing rules, celebrating and rewarding success, building resilience and perseverance, accepting defeat and participating in activities that promote cooperation with others and inclusion for all form an integral part of the PE curriculum.

 

School Council

The Academy promotes democratic processes through the election of school councillors. This fosters the concept of freedom of speech and group action to address needs and concerns.


Involvement in key local and National events:

In recent years, we have celebrated the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, London and Rio Olympics, Queen’s birthday, Chinese New Year and World War I Centenary with special events, assemblies and themed lessons. The visit of the Olympic torch was embraced and a torch bearer was invited into the school, while some pupils had the opportunity to go and watch the parade. Each year Armistice Day is remembered and children are encouraged to reflect on this. 

For further information of how the Academy seeks to promote key British Values, please contact the Academy.