Our Vision and Values

Personal development is at the heart of everything we do at DBJA, and opportunities to grow personally as well as academically are woven into our curriculum approaches. We consider the skills children need to be successful to be as important as their academic learning. We hope you will all agree that it has never been more important to invest in our children’s essential skills such as teamwork and problem solving, alongside their academic learning. Our curriculum fosters the development of 8 essential skills:

At Dorothy Barley, we aim to provide the highest standards of teaching and learning so that all children can achieve their academic potential. We also ensure that we foster and develop the social and emotional well-being of our children. Our children deserve the best.

Our core values at Dorothy Barley are supported and developed through our Golden Rules which promote themes of kindness, respect for ourselves and others, honesty and hard work. These core beliefs underpin everything we do and help us be the best we can be. We review and develop our core values to ensure that they suit the needs of our school community and reflect issues in the wider world.

Our Current Learning Values are: Trust, Resilience, Respect, Acceptance, Kindness and Self-Worth. This can be easily remembered by the acronym TRRAKS. These are linked to our skills development programme mentioned above.

Our Learning Values Journey

DBJA – Our Learning Values Journey

Moving forward with our values

Following looking at all 12 Learning Values, we asked the children which values they felt were most important for us to continue at DBJA.

It was very close, but our top 6 learning values were: Trust, Resilience, Respect, Acceptance, Kindness and Self-Worth. This can be easily remembered by the acronym TRRAKS. We will continue to focus on a particular value every half term but will also be looking for these values in every area of our school, whether that is in the classroom or on the playground throughout the year.

Our Golden Rules

  • We are gentle. We don’t hurt others.
  • We are kind and helpful. We don’t hurt anybody’s feelings.
  • We listen. We don’t interrupt.
  • We are honest. We don’t cover up the truth.
  • We work hard. We don’t waste our own or others’ time.
  • We look after property. We don’t waste or damage things.

Closely tied into these core values are the REAch2 touchstones of Learning, Enjoyment, Responsibility, Inclusion, Inspiration, Integrity and Leadership. We expect all children and adults within our school community to promote our touchstones, our learning values and to follow our Golden Rules.

 

How British Values are promoted at Dorothy Barley Junior Academy

Introduction

At Dorothy Barley Junior Academy we value each and every member of our school community as individuals and respect their rights and freedom. Through our Golden Rules, Learning Values and Skills Builder curriculum we promote the values of:

 

  • Kindness to ourselves and others
  • Honesty at all times
  • Respect for ourselves and others
  • Hard work at all times
  • Care for ourselves, all others in our school community and our school environmen

Our Learning Values below support how we promote British Values at DBJA.

Trust

Respect

Resilience

Acceptance

Kindness

Self-Worth

We believe that these values are the fundamental building blocks for our children to grow and develop as responsible adults and British citizens.

The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy. These values are:

  • Democracy
  • The rule of law.
  • Individual liberty
  • Mutual respect
  • Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.

Our curriculum is designed to ensure that our children have the opportunity to learn and reflect on the British values that underpin our lives.

Moral Development

Regular activities such as Circle Time, Restorative Practice, Philosophy for Children, Personal Social Health and Citizenship sessions and daily assemblies allow and encourage our children to discuss British values and understand how these are relevant to them.

The children are supported in their moral development by their:

  • Ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong.
  • Readily apply this understanding in their own lives.
  • Respect the civil and criminal law of England.
  • Understand the consequences of their behaviour and actions.
  • Investigate and offer reasoned views about moral and ethical issues.
  • Understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues.

Social Development

Children have a wide range of opportunities to work collaboratively within class, across year groups and phases. We promote ‘Buddy Systems’ for mid phase admissions. Play Makers actively support other children throughout the day including break-time and lunchtimes. Our active School Council ensure that all children can influence decision making through the democratic processes. They promote a range of initiates and lead on issues which are relevant to the children through projects and assemblies throughout the year.

Dorothy Barley Junior Academy is at the heart of the local community and we encourage  pupils to show care and consideration for others through charitable work and young citizenship.

There is a strong emphasis throughout the PSHCE areas of study on individual rights and responsibilities including respect and valuing difference in the way people choose to live in modern British Society.

Our children are encouraged to develop socially by:

  • Using a range social skills in different contexts, including working and socialising with pupils from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.
  • Being encouraged to participate in a variety of communities and social settings, including volunteering.
  • Co-operating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively.
  • Understanding the importance of identifying and combating discrimination.
  • Accepting and engaging with the fundamental British values of:
  • Democracy
  • The rule of law.
  • Individual liberty.
  • Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths, beliefs and life choices. This will develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow pupils to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.

Cultural Development

At Dorothy Barley Junior Academy we value the diverse ethnic background of all pupils and families and undertake a variety of events and lessons to celebrate these. We have found this approach to be enriching for all parties as it teaches tolerance and respect for the differences in our community and the wider world. We engage with the Royal Ballet & Opera’s Cultural Champions programme to help develop the cultural capital of our children.

Through the RE curriculum and PSHE themes there are a range of learning opportunities which have string links to the United Kingdom, through which we develop our children’s cultural understanding by enabling children to:

  • Understand and appreciate the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others.
  • Understand and appreciate the range of different cultures within school and beyond our local community as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain.
  • To gain knowledge of Britain’s democratic parliamentary system and its central role in shaping our history and values, and in continuing to develop Britain.
  • Be willing to participate in and respond positively to artistic, sporting and cultural opportunities.
  • Gain an interest in exploring, improving understanding of and showing respect for different faiths and cultural diversity.
  • Understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity, shown by their tolerance and attitudes towards different religions, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities.

Spiritual Development

Our children are encouraged to reflect on the predominant religious and moral values that underpin our democratic and multi-cultural British society. Through RE lessons, assemblies and celebratory events, our children learn about the similarities and differences of other religions and are encouraged to reflect on their own beliefs whilst tolerating the different viewpoints of others including those who do not have a religious faith.

We aim to develop our children spiritually by supporting them to;

  • Gain the ability to be reflective about their own beliefs, religious or otherwise, that informs their perspective on their life, show an interest in and respect for different people’s faiths, feelings and values.
  • Have a sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning differences about themselves, others and the world them.
  • Use imagination and creativity in their learning.
  • Be willing to reflect on their own experiences.
  • Linking with local faith organisations and presentation in school.

Conclusion

At Dorothy Barley Junior Academy we believe that, through promoting British values, our children will become responsible citizens for the future who show mutual respect and tolerance of others, value their own liberty and understand the rules of law and democracy whilst demonstrating care and compassion for all.