Our Vision, Ethos & Values
Our School Vision
Believe & Achieve
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At Thorndon Primary School, our vision is that each child and adult in the school should ‘believe and achieve’ and this encompasses all that we do at school. Everyone should believe in themselves and in each other to inspire confidence and curiosity about the world around them. Such belief enables everyone to achieve and be successful in a wide range of aspects. These include, but are not limited to: academic, sporting, musical, dramatic, social, emotional, cultural and spiritual achievements. We teach our children God’s love for them and his compassion towards us. We encourage children to demonstrate compassion in their day-to-day lives. We fully adhere to The Church of England Vision for Education, that “joy in learning is a mark of the good teacher and the well-taught pupil…and any education that does not communicate joy, wonder, amazement, fascination and delight has failed.’ (p12) |
We aim to create a warm, stimulating and challenging atmosphere where all children and adults will feel valued and welcomed. Everyone contributes creatively to the life of the school, striving together for improvements. School and home co-operate to foster the development of the children, not only through the curriculum but also through personal and social dimensions.
Curriculum Studies
In their curriculum studies, we endeavour to develop children who:
- have enquiring minds;
- are motivated, aspirational and become increasingly independent learners, taking responsibility for their own learning and actions;
- are aware of their own strengths and weaknesses;
- are reflective, resilient and demonstrate perseverance;
- are happy and confident enough to ask for help, and able to collaborate with others;
- set themselves personal challenges and use their initiative;
- strive for high achievements;
- take pride in the achievement of others.
Personal and Social Development
We aim to provide a happy, secure environment where each child:
- develops academically, physically, emotionally and aesthetically;
- has an opportunity to foster and nurture their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development;
- is aware of our changing world, its diversity of people and the individual contribution made by each and every person;
- understands how to stay safe and be healthy;
- knows how to enjoy and achieve and understands we learn from making mistakes;
- is encouraged to be reflective, respectful and thoughtful;
- is respectful of other’s individuality;
- recognises and respects beliefs of other religions and cultures;
- understands that trust and honesty are built on mutual respect;
- takes responsibility for their immediate surroundings and adopts a caring attitude for the wider environment;
- makes a positive contribution to the school, the local and wider community;
- prepares for and has an appreciation of life in modern Britain.
Our School Prayer
We wrote a school prayer to reflect our Vision and we love to share it together in assembly.
I believe in me (clap, clap, clap)
I believe in you, yes I do!
God believes in us all,
Here at Thorndon School! (clap, clap, clap)
Rainbow Values
Our Rainbow Values are our core values. These values are the ones we hold dear and firmly believe encourage and help develop children to become well-rounded individuals and effective learners. Our core values are:
In addition to our Rainbow Values, we teach our children to reflect the following values in everything we do on a daily basis. All our values transcend all religions and faiths and form the basis of our assemblies, where we focus on a value each half-term on a rolling programme.
The 18 ‘Values for Life’ are:
Wisdom, Creativity, Humility, Service, Courage, Generosity, Friendship, Truthfulness, Peace, Forgiveness, Trust, Justice, Perseverance, Thankfulness, Compassion, Responsibility, Hope, Respect
Children are taught the meaning of these values and how they can demonstrate these in their daily lives. They also link to the core British Values.
British Values
We take seriously our responsibilities to prepare children for life in modern Britain. We ensure these British Values are introduced, discussed and lived out through the ethos and work of the school. Children are taught to believe in themselves and pursue excellence through hard work, within a climate of high expectations and support. At Thorndon, our children benefit from a broad and balanced curriculum which contains units of work which are underpinned by British values and British culture.
Values of tolerance and respect permeate all areas of school life. Our children feel safe and secure and work towards the fulfilment of their potential.
Our PSHE and RE curriculums encourage respect and appreciation of everyone and their individual beliefs and values.
As a Church of England school, we teach these values and Christian ideas underpin our vision and ethos. We encourage tolerance and value everyone. Children are rewarded for effort, kindness and thoughtfulness. We work closely with the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich and our school is regularly inspected by the National Society of Anglican and Methodist Schools.
At Thorndon Primary School, these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy
Democracy is embedded in our school. Pupils are listened to by adults and are taught to actively listen to one another, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. Pupils have the opportunity to share opinions and ideas through the School Council and regular 'pupil voice' questionnaires. Elections of the School Council members are based solely on pupil votes after each child has shared their manifesto with their class. This was designed to reflect the British electoral system.
The Rule of Law
Staff consistently reinforce high expectations of pupils. Whenever appropriate pupils are taught the
value and reasons behind these expectations (rules), that they are there to protect us, everyone has responsibility and there may be consequences when rules are disregarded.
Individual Liberty
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in
a safe and supportive environment. Our children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely through many curriculum subjects, particularly in PSHE and online safety lessons.
Mutual Respect
Respect is an important value to the children and staff of Thorndon Primary school, and it is deeply
embedded in learning and behaviour. Children understand that it is expected and that it is imperative that respect be shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have, and to everything, however big or small. It underpins our work every day, both in and out of the classroom.
Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
The school's curriculum aims to develop an understanding of the world. The RE and PSHE schemes of work provide opportunities for pupils to develop tolerance of and empathy towards those from different faiths, beliefs and cultures.