Vision and Values

Be the Best You Can Be

 

Our school motto reflects our educational values. It is inclusive of all that belong to our community and, as such, it is our aim that all members of our school show respect for one another.

The Abbey School Experience

Using the principles of curriculum design we have developed an innovative and forward-thinking approach to planning the student experience. Our starting point using this framework was to think about the attitudes and values that we want our students to have mastered by the time that they leave our care.

Abbey Attitudes

Aspiration

Aspiration at The Abbey School does not only mean wanting to do well in tests or gaining qualifications. It refers to the broader sense of accomplishment gained through personal development and through participation in a large variety of opportunities offered to our students. In many circumstances achievement of their goals should be recognised or praised, but we will not reward mediocrity.

Community

Our school emphasises the importance of working collectively both within the school and with local partners. Our vision is that students should be the best that they can be and support others in realising this goal. When students achieve they not only improve their sense of identity but also their commitment and feeling of belonging in the school.

Curiosity

We want our students to take a keen interest in the world around them and develop a love of learning. This means being exposed to issues such as the complexities of the universe and the human condition. When faced with the scale, intricacy and magnificence of the world around them our hope is that they develop a sense of wonder and humility. In doing so they may also consider the value or meaning of their own life.

Abbey Values

Integrity

This is the practice of being honest and showing a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values. Integrity infers that an individual can coherently account for their own actions and performance based on these standards.

Persistence

The fact of continuing in a course of action in spite of difficulty. For students to persist they need to be engaged, determined and resilient to disappointment. Our curriculum aims to encourage perseverance through progressive increase in challenge and praising effort where worthy. We encourage Abbey students to focus on the long term rewards of persistent hard work.

Altruism

Selfless regard and respect for the wellbeing of others. Students should be able to demonstrate empathy for those around them, an action which benefits the community both within the school and the wider world. Being truly altruistic means benefiting another at personal expense.

Responsibility

Students need to be able to appreciate their own personal accountability for their own actions. This includes understanding what they could have done differently to have achieved a different or improved outcome. Taking responsibility empowers students by allowing them to independently self-manage and appreciate the role they play in determining their own achievement.

Creativity

The use of imagination or original ideas to create something new. It requires passion and commitment. Creativity is characterised by the ability to perceive the world in new ways, to find hidden patterns, to make connections between seemingly unrelated phenomena, and to generate solutions. Creativity involves two processes: thinking and then producing.

Resourcefulness

This is being able to deal effectively and imaginatively when faced with new situations or difficulties. To be resourceful a student needs to apply existing knowledge and skills in innovative new ways.

Reflection

Being able to think critically about actions and what has been achieved. A reflective learner will identify ways in which their performance could have been improved upon had their actions been different.

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Leaders are determined that all pupils, including those with SEND and/or disabilities, experience a broad and interesting curriculum.

 

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Leaders and staff have high aspirations for what all pupils can achieve across the curriculum, including those in the sixth form.

 

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Pupils enjoy the wide range of opportunities to develop their interests and talents.

 

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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:

	Excellent teaching and learning that celebrates diversity whilst promoting inclusivity;
	Regular opportunities for collaborative high quality CPD to ensure best practice across academies;
	A proactive network for joint working across academies, for staff at various career stages;
	The highest standards of behaviour and conduct achieved through clear expectations and positive relationships;
	The unique character of each academy is valued and contributes to the THAT whole Trust ethos;
	Shared whole trust values of dignity, respect and ambition.
	High aspirations for all involved with the Trust;
	Each academy is a hub for its local community and families;
	Facing outwards and working in collaboration with other organisations and stakeholders;
	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