Our Vision and Values
Mission
Our mission inspires us to go the extra mile every day to ensure our students 'Believe and Achieve'; to be the best that they can be.
Vision
Our vision is for our students to have high aspirations and a confident self-belief, that with hard work and determination, there are no boundaries to what they can achieve; that our students believe in themselves and achieve their full potential.
Values
Self-Belief
Where self-belief is nurtured, encouraging strength of character and a belief in our ability to be the best we can be.
Teamwork
Creating an outstanding school community where we delight in learning, achieving and growing together, working as a team.
Ambition
To be passionate in our desire and determination to achieve success and exceed our potential.
Integrity
Acting with integrity and honesty so that challenges can be met whilst encouraging responsible decision-making.
Leadership
Empowering students to work in partnership with each other, staff and with the wider school community.
Respect
Treating each other with dignity, courtesy and respect; celebrating and welcoming diversity.
Resilience
Resilience to face disappointment, learning from failure, and adapting to change.
Working together to build a community of successful learners
Core Values: Inclusivity, dignity, respect & ambition
Learning and growth are at the heart of The Howard Academy Trust ethos. We strongly advocate that all members of our community have the opportunity to become the very best that they can be. We recognise and value the unique talents and expertise within our community and aim to create a culture of dignity, inclusivity, respect and ambition, where all can thrive.
This is achieved through:
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Excellent teaching and learning that celebrates diversity whilst promoting inclusivity; | |
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Regular opportunities for collaborative high quality CPD to ensure best practice across academies; | |
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A proactive network for joint working across academies, for staff at various career stages; | |
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The highest standards of behaviour and conduct achieved through clear expectations and positive relationships; | |
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The unique character of each academy is valued and contributes to the THAT whole Trust ethos; | |
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Shared whole trust values of dignity, respect and ambition. | |
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High aspirations for all involved with the Trust; | |
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Each academy is a hub for its local community and families; | |
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Facing outwards and working in collaboration with other organisations and stakeholders; | |
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A centralised team that allows academy leaders to focus on their core purpose of education. |
Promoting Fundamental British Values
The Howard Academy Trust are committed to Fundamental British Values
The Trust actively promotes British Values in our schools. We aim to ensure our young people are prepared for life in modern Britain. Pupils are encouraged to regard people of all cultures, faiths and races with respect and tolerance. They will be taught to understand that, whilst people may sometimes hold conflicting views about what is 'right' and what is 'wrong', all those who live in our country are subject to its laws.
The key values are:
- Democracy
- Rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of those in our society of different faiths and beliefs
Democracy
Democracy is well evident within the school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School and House Councils and pupil questionnaires. The elections of House and Form Captains are based upon pupil votes.
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 are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty
Within school, 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 the provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons.
Mutual Respect
Respect is at the core of our school ethos and is expected of students and staff alike. The school promotes respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning environments. In line with our commitment to democracy, students at Hurstmere are always able to voice their opinions and we foster an environment where students are safe to disagree with each other. Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum from the concept of ‘fair play’ in PE to the student mentoring programme which promotes mutual respect and support between students across different year groups within the school.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
This is achieved through equipping students with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving the opportunities to experience such diversity within the school community. Students are actively encouraged to share their own faith and beliefs within the school.
The Religious Studies curriculum, which is compulsory for all students up to the end of KS4, provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions and cultures.
Students benefit from a number of international excursions, and the school works in partnerships with schools in Zambia and Romania to teach students about life, faith and beliefs in other countries, and to understand their global responsibilities as citizens.
Hurstmere School strives endlessly to ensure that its students leave with the strongest foundation of values upon which to build a successful life and make a successful contribution to our Society.