Visions & Values

Through our Core Christian Values, we aim to create an environment in which everybody feels loved enough to aspire to greatness, respected enough to build a community, and gracious enough to include everyone in our journey to achieve a bright future.

Our Foundations for Learning 

Our Foundations of Learning were developed some time ago in collaboration with other local infant, junior, primary and secondary school. To learn well, children must approach opportunities with curiosity, energy and enthusiasm. Effective learning must be meaningful to a child, so that they are able to use what they have learned and apply it in new situations. These abilities and attitudes of strong learners will support them to learn well and make good progress in all areas of the curriculum and in life:

Our Core Christian Values

Love

Love is a core value for our church school because the Bible explicitly tells us that God is love and that those who live in love live in God and God lives in them (1 John 4:16).

In the Gospel according to Luke (10:25 - 37), Jesus teaches us, through the parable of the Good Samaritan, that God’s love calls us to serve others freely without expectation of reward.   Because all people are made in the image of God, this includes people who do not like us or who we do not like.

To carry the value of love in our hearts is to understand that “love is patient and kind, love is eternal and love never gives up.  It always trusts, always hopes and always continues strong.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

Grace

Grace is a core value of our church school because the Christian message describes the generosity and kindness of Jesus in giving us His life so that we can try to be more like Him. 

In Luke’s Gospel (15:11-31) Jesus says, ‘The eldest son was lost but now he has been found.’  This is described in the story of the Prodigal Son when a father forgives his son although he was seen as undeserving.

To act with grace is to display unconditional generosity and kindness.  To show care for others even when you believe they do not deserve it.

Respect

Respect is a core Christian value for our church school because we believe that all life is precious, within the image of God, and deserves to be valued.  Within the school we encourage all, “to treat others as you would want them to treat you.” (Matthew 7:12)

Jesus broke down social, cultural and religious barriers.  For example, He spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well when she served Him a drink, which overcame prejudice. (John 4: 7-10)

Our Christian value of respect means living up to the image of God within ourselves, our school and in our community. 

British 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.”

Democracy:

Democracy is embedded within the school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council, pupil surveys and opportunities within class/whole school discussions as well as through Philosophy for Children (P4C). Examples of pupil voice having a real impact on decisions made at Leesland include voting for School Councillors/Leesland Leaders and House Captains and transition projects with Year 2 and 3 pupils to enhance the school grounds.

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 the regular school day, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Pupils 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. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Services are regular parts of our school calendar and help reinforce this message.  Our school rules of Be Ready, Be Safe, Be Respectful reinforce the importance of following the rules for the benefit of everyone.  

Individual Liberty:

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. Across the federation we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education.  Pupils 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 and Philosophy for Children (P4C) lessons as well as through the ‘hidden curriculum’ of Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development (SMSC). Whether it be 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 choice. 

Prejudicial Language and Behaviours Guide for Parents and Carers

Hampshire Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service

Mutual Respect:

Part of our schools’ ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around values such as respect and inclusion and these values determine how we live as a community at Leesland. Pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. This is reiterated through our Christian Values (Love, Grace and Respect), Learning Behaviours and our Behaviour Policy (our rules are Be Ready, Be Safe, Be Respectful). Collective Worship is based on ‘Christian Values for Life’ which are central to how we expect everyone to go about their life at our school. 

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 done specifically through , Collective Worship, Philosophy for Children (P4C) and RE, as well as across the whole curriculum where relevant through links with SMSC. We use opportunities such as the Olympics and World Cup to study and learn about life and culture in countries such as South Korea and Brazil. Cohorts also have topics based around different areas of the world with learning about different cultures and customs. 

Inclusion and Diversity Partnership

As a school we have committed to the Hampshire Inclusion and Diversity Partnership (IDP).  

This means that both Leesland schools have committed to:

•  Creating an inclusive environment, culture and curriculum where everyone has a voice and is heard and  understood;
• Developing inclusive pedagogies;
• Promoting critical thinking of all staff, governors and children;
• Developing a curriculum that challenges propaganda and ensures that the information shared with children and young people is accurate, comprehensive and from a wide range of perspectives;
• Challenging stereotypes and unconscious bias;
• Providing a range of positive role models from across all sections of society;
• Ensuring that all children have the highest aspirations for their futures and value the contribution they make to society and the world around them;
• Interrogating data with reference to equity and equality;
• Measuring attitudes towards difference, establishing a baseline for future assessment – tracking trends over time;
• Working in partnership with parents, carers, governors and the wider community.

 Our commitment

We undertake this Commitment in the understanding that this is one part of a long and sustained journey for our communities, intended to supplement work that we already do, and provide a forum for us to work collaboratively on a shared vision.

Prejudicial Language and Behaviours Guide for Parents and Carers

Hampshire Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service

UN Rights of the Child Leaflet

Hampshire Inclusion and Diversity Partnership Curriculum Overview