Ethos and Values
Our Vision, Mission and Values
As an AET academy, at St Helen's Primary Academy our mission is pure and simple: to enable our pupils to lead remarkable lives.
VISION
At St Helen's Primary Academy we want each and every child inspired to choose a Remarkable Life.
MISSION
To gather and motivate inspirational people committed to delivering an excellent education that launches children into remarkable lives.
Our Values
Be Unusually Brave:
At St Helen's 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.
Discover What's Possible:
We are on the search for discovering what's possible. We look for Eureka moments, to discover a world of opportunities and possibilities.
Push The Limits:
We always strive to push the limits. We don't settle for less than excellent. We resolve to overcome any self-imposed limits.
Be Big-Hearted:
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.
Our Drivers
Excellent Attitudes
Excellent Knowledge
Excellent Teaching
We look forward to welcoming you to the Academy.
Miss Vicki Gorton
Head of School
British Values
At St Helen's Primary Academy we are proud of our diverse community. Together we share and celebrate the values that are fundamental to British society. Our learning characteristics of being respectful, independent, innovative, resilient and having high aspirations underpin everything that we do.
Through our school values, curriculum and the experiences we give to our children, we ensure that the children understand the importance of mutual respect, democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law and how these are integral to our everyday life.
Promoting British Values at St Helen's Primary Academy
The Department for Education state that there is a 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.”
The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy and these values were reiterated by the Prime Minister in 2014. At St Helen's Primary Academy these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy
Democracy is embedded in the Academy. Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern for each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. Pupils also have the opportunity to share their opinions and ideas through our School Council who meet regularly with Miss Gorton.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced. Our school rules and values are deeply embedded in our work every day. Each class also discusses and sets its own rules that are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment.
Our 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.
Individual Liberty
At St Helen's Primary Academy, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As an academy, we educate and provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an empowering education. Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely; examples of this can be clearly seen in our clubs, residential visits, e-safety and P.S.H.E. lessons. Whether it is through the choice of challenge; how they record; or participation in our extra-curricular activities; all our pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual Respect
Respect is one of the core values of our academy and it is deeply embedded in our class rules and all that we do at the school. The pupils know and understand that it is expected and imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have. The core value of Respect at St Helen's Primary Academy underpins our work every day both in and out of the classroom.
Tolerance of Those With Different Faiths And Beliefs
Our core value of Respect ensures tolerance of those who have different faiths and beliefs. St Helen's Primary Academy enhances pupils' understanding of different faiths and beliefs through religious education studies and P.S.H.E. work. Beliefs, traditions and customs will be studied in-depth, with visitors being invited into our academy to enrich and extend understanding. As a result, our pupils gain an enhanced understanding of their place in a multi-cultural and diverse society.