Vision and Values

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.

Archdeacon Cambridge’s CE Primary is an Anglican school where everyone is encouraged to do their very best. Following a day spent together exploring, discussing and agreeing what is best for our school, our Vision was agreed by staff and Governors. The vision we share is at the heart of all we do and is the basis on which we work with all members of the school community.

"Be happy and love learning, confident in our faith.

Do everything in love.”

(1 Corinthians 16:13-14)  

Our Core Christian Values

Endurance, Forgiveness, Compassion, Thankfulness

To support us in achieving our vision we also agreed our values. These make clear to the whole school community the principles we collectively believe are fundamental to the way in which we:

• Live, work and learn in our school and beyond
• Approach the business of learning and teaching – fulfilling our ‘Vision’
• Relate to each other – all those who make up our local community or who have cause to come into contact with our school

In the day to day life of the school our values become visible in teaching and learning through the ways in which we:

• encourage a creative, inspirational and independent approach to learning;
• work to provide a secure, safe and inclusive environment for all;
• expect all members of our community to be cared for, nurtured and supported as they develop as learners;
• strive to promote a sense of achievement and enjoyment through positive attitudes to learning.

Expectations

At Archdeacon Cambridge’s CE Primary School, we are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment where every child is supported to reach their full potential.

We value Thankfulness. Our approach to behaviour management is underpinned by the understanding that behaviour is influenced by the relationships we have with one another. By showing we value these relationships, we aim to create an environment in which to teach children how to manage their emotions, make thoughtful decisions, and develop a strong sense of responsibility for themselves and others.

We value Compassion. Every child is treated with dignity, and their voice is valued. We prioritise mutual respect, empathy, and open communication in everything we do.

We value Endurance. We recognise that children are constantly learning, and mistakes are part of that process. Through the use of restorative practices, our aim is not just to correct behaviour, but to teach life skills that will enable children to thrive both in school and beyond.

We value Forgiveness. Our expectations for behaviour are clear, but we approach each situation with flexibility and understanding, considering individual needs and circumstances. We work in partnership with families to ensure consistency and to provide the necessary support for all children to succeed.

British Values

The Department for Education introduced a statutory requirement for British Values to be taught in schools “to create and enforce 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 school readily incorporates the values into Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural teaching and learning and makes links to our Christian Values of Compassion, Endurance, Forgiveness and Thankfulness. We have a permanent display next to the worship board and refer to British Values as appropriate, for example when reinforcing ‘Democracy’ when choosing our new House names.  Our community includes our school community, the wider community locally, nationally through celebrations such as the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the global community when we focus on Christian Aid fund raising and other charitable activities. Collective Worship planning identifies the links to values as in the examples below.

Democracy

Democracy is embedded within Archdeacon Cambridge’s. Children have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council, pupil questionnaires and regular ‘Pupil Voice’ assemblies. The election of School Council is based on the children’s vote in each class. Our school behaviour policy involves rewards which the children vote on in class through class charters. 

The Rule of Law

The importance of Laws, whether they are class, whole school or the country are regularly reinforced throughout teaching and learning, as well as reinforcing behaviour expectations through school Collective Worship and assemblies. Children are taught the value and reasons behind laws or rules, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. At Archdeacon Cambridge’s this is linked to our ‘Archdeacon Way’, as children are recognised for following the 'Archdeacon Way' and understand the consequences when this does not happen.

Individual Liberty

Within school, children are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. At Archdeacon Cambridge’s we educate and provide boundaries for young children to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-safety, RE lessons and PSHE lessons, as well as through outdoor learning and school trips. Through choice of challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect for and Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy revolves around values such as respect and inclusion. Recently this is included a focus on key Christian Values which the children have learnt about over the past year and how these values also link to respect and inclusion. Children have been a part of these discussion and assemblies related to what each value means and how it is shown. This is reiterated through each classroom, the schools golden rules and modeling from all members of staff, as well as our behaviour policy. We enhance children’s understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and give them opportunities to experience such diversity. At Archdeacon Cambridge’s this is done in a variety of ways including school visits, Collective Worship and assemblies, RE and PSHE lessons as well as across the whole curriculum where relevant.