Mission Statement

Through a warm and caring ethos, we aim to help all pupils achieve their full potential by encouraging, stimulating, enthusing and challenging them in their learning. The school promotes an open and supportive partnership with pupils, parents, staff, governors and the community, and through this partnership endeavours to raise standards, take advantage of change and remains a focal point of the community. 

"Growing Together, Learning Together"

Values

The DfE have 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.” The government set out its definition of British Values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy and these values have been reiterated by the Prime Minister. At Gravenhust Academy these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy

Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our elective School council, Whole School Assemblies, Pupil Questionnaires, tea party meetings with the Principal. Our School Behaviour and Values policies involve rewards and sanctions which the pupils reflect on and adhere to.

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 collective worship time. 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 (when permitted) are a regular part of our calendar and help reinforce this message. Further to this our older children take part in cluster wide values days.

Individual Liberty

Pupils are actively encouraged to make choices through empowering education; we provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely. These choices are varied and age-relevant whether it be in the challenge of class activity, participation in extracurricular opportunities, opting to look after younger children at play or selection of extended learning through adult-guided, child-initiated play. They are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through E-Safety and PSHCE lessons. Pupils are able to have their voice heard via the school council and at whole school meetings.

Mutual Respect

As part of our school Values and Behaviour policies we revolve around Core Values such as ‘Respect’ and pupils have been part of discussions and collective worship related to what this means and how it is shown. Respect is one of our values taught explicitly within lessons, collective worship and is shared with home through newsletters and website information. This is further highlighted in our work with our partnership schools. Adults around the school promote respect for others as do older children who have suitable, age related, tasks and responsibilities and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our behaviour, SMSC and Values policies. We further develop respect by ensuring that there are many visits, trips and opportunities for children to learn all about other faiths, creeds and cultures not just in this country but around the world.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. This is incredibly important in Gravenhurst Academy which has a very specific demographic. With a view to expand the knowledge, understanding and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs the school is undertaking a review of our curriculum. Collective worship and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHCE. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. 

 

We accumulate these values together by empathising a value each month in our weekly assemblies and newsletters. These are;

September:  Friendship      January:   Determination        May:   Respect

October:       Tolerance       February: Cooperation            June:   Honesty

November:   Courage         March:      Appreciation           July:    Thoughtfulness

December:   Kindness        April:         Responsibility