Vision and Values
School Vision
Our vision and values are at the core of everything we do. They underpin our teaching and learning, and provide an environment which prepares our pupils as confident, happy citizens.
Vision Statement
‘Inspiring the minds of tomorrow to be confident life-long learners; through high Ambition, strengthening a positive sense of Identity and contributing to Society so that every child can succeed’
To achieve this, all staff at Mitchell Brook will:
Create and provide an environment where curiosity is welcomed, enquiry is encouraged and excitement of learning is fostered.
Provide equality of opportunity to encourage and motivate the children and our community, to have high aspirations and expectations of themselves and others.
Promote an understanding, tolerance, fairness and respect for others.
Value families and the wider community and see a strong, positive relationship as integral to the success of our school.
School Values
We reinforce our STARS values to further encourage the children to succeed in becoming successful and confident life-long learners.
Successful Team focused Aspiring attitude Respectful Spirited
British Values
'A key part of education is to ensure children become valuable and fully-rounded members of society who treat others with respect and tolerance, regardless of background. We promote the basic British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs. This ensures our children understand the importance of respect and leave school fully prepared for life in modern Britain.'
Democracy
Our children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. School Council elections are held at the beginning of each academic year and all children in Years 2-6 are invited to stand. One councillor is elected from each class after a ballot. The council of fifteen then meets regularly with a school leader to discuss issues raised by the children in each class. The council has its own budget and is able to genuinely affect change within the school.
Every member of staff and every student is a member of one of our four houses: Patience, Peace, Tolerance and Endurance. Every September, children in Pre-Secondary prepare a manifesto to present to their house, members and one boy and one girl is elected House Captain. Each year the classes decide upon their ‘class charter’ together as a new class starting a new year.
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 and Fire Service help reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices and take responsibility for these choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we have a responsibility to provide boundaries and safety for children through rules and regulations but also give them opportunities to make mistakes and to learn from their experiences. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through E-Safety lessons. Whether it be through choice of learning challenges, of how they record a piece of learning, or through participation in our range of extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual Respect
Respect forms one of the school STARS values and this is reinforced in expectations of all members of the school community. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others and all members of the school community are expected to treat each other with respect.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
Mitchell Brook is situated in a culturally diverse area and there is a strong history and philosophy within the school of celebrating cultural diversity. Our programmes of assemblies (including class extravaganzas) promote and encourage an understanding and acceptance of different faiths and beliefs through stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures. Religious Education and Personal Development teaching reinforce this. In RE lessons, members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school and classes visit places of worship that are important to different faiths.
At Mitchell Brook Primary School we have a commitment to actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.