OUR Ethos AND Values

we care for ourselves, other people and our environment

A school teaches in three ways: by what it teaches, by how it teaches and by the kind of place it is.

Lawrence Downey

Global Values

Sometimes referred to as 'British' values we uphold the following: 

Tolerance - for diversity of belief, opinion, practice and lifestyles, in particular those groups protected by the Equality Act.

Rule of Law - whether our own school policies or the Law of the Land, we uphold respecting rules and institutions and if we want these to change, to use reason and argument by participating in debate and campaigning for change.

Individual Liberty - we are free to think, be and believe as we choose.

Mutual Respect - we respect the rights of others to think and believe differently.

Democracy - listening to the views of stakeholders, we welcome and encourage the participation and engagement of everybody.

respecting tradition

A Remembrance Day focus on UN Peacekeepers

 In Autumn assemblies, leading up to a Y6 trumpeter playing The Last Post for the 2 minute silence, we reflected on conflict and resolution and how peaceful outcomes need to include everybody - unlimited. Our Blue Berets were awarded by children to children; some who might be peaceful all the time and others who were noticed for making some changes in their responses to arguing at playtime. 

Moral purpose and ethical values are key to our work ~ providing a high quality education for everybody

People learning and working at Kingsmead Primary School are supported in developing a lifelong love of learning and to be useful and kind members of the local and global community.

A broad and rich curriculum supports the development of intellect and good character. At Kingsmead we believe in the intrinsic value of learning and study to nurture our curiosity, interest, joyfulness - and awe and wonder. Learning and achievement lead to better outcomes and happier lives; learning and achievement foster a deeper understanding and respect for the diversity of human culture and the natural world, to the benefit of everyone and the natural world. 

Through individual and collaborative effort, every person learning and working at Kingsmead is encouraged to embrace difficulty, demonstrating grit and perseverance. Our achievements lead to satisfaction, pleasure and pride in making work of quality.

Each person learning and working at Kingsmead is expected to contribute and participate fully to the benefit of themselves, other people and the environment. We understand that, while only one species among many, our actions will affect the future of our planet.

Every Child Matters ~ we aim for every child (and adult) in our school community to: 

Enjoy and achieve high standards through being articulate and independent learners with a thirst for knowledge and including high standards of literacy and numeracy;

Stay safe through creating a stimulating physical and emotional environment where everyone is included and where we can learn and work in safety and security;

Make a positive contribution through placing excellence and collaboration at the heart of the school’s work and development; fostering attitudes of pride, self-esteem and motivation, resulting in mutual trust and cooperation;

Be healthy through making healthy, ethical and sustainable life choices;

Achieve economic wellbeing by wanting for less, appreciating more, and so being ethical, responsible and intelligent citizens.

making Beautiful work

In Autumn term the focus of our SMSC* curriculum is about caring for ourselves

Ambassadors

Acrylic on canvas - Year 5 and 6 in a Saturday Art Club with visiting painter

Work based on Holbein's Ambassadors. Children chose artefacts, costumes and objects to show how we care for ourselves through education and learning: academic, creative and physical.

Our School

Pastel and pen on paper - Year 2

After LS Lowry. We like to play out whatever the weather.

In Spring we shift the lens to care for other people

People Like Us

Clay relief. Reception - Year 6 with visiting artist, Jane Dixon

Caring for other people starts with understanding that we are one human family, a family with more in common than that which divides us. 

In Summer we turn our attention away from our own species and out onto the natural world

Where My Wellies Take Me

Acrylic and pastel on canvas. - Key Stage 1 with visiting painter Maggie Stewart

Caring for the environment starts with what's beneath our feet and on our doorstep. 

Biodiversity in Northwich 

Pencil and watercolour [Year 2]. Naming and representing leading to appreciating and respecting the small creatures on our own doorstep is a first step to caring for all life on Earth.

Belonging

Work for the Northwich Education Partnership Summer Art Trail

Nine circles of life, one for each letter in the word 'BELONGING', one for each class of children Year 1-6. 

Children's drawings of the animals, plants, fungi and microbes we share our home planet with remind us of our place in nature. Each circle contains our species, homo sapiens, reflecting what we now know, that humankind exists within and amongst nature, close cousins with some animals but distant relatives of all life on Earth. 

* our social, moral, spiritual and cultural curriculum is taught through assemblies, stories and ideas explored across the whole school and in class

The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.

Dr Martin Luther King Jnr

Guernica

Acrylic on canvas - Year 4

Inspired by Picasso's wartime masterpiece, this painting reminds us how bullying behaviour affects other people and ourselves. It helps us remember to be useful and kind to everyone. Unlimited.

The true hallmark of a democracy lies not in the frequency with which it holds elections, but the manner in which it protects its minorities.

Karl Popper

reduce, reuse and recycle,

Uniform - When a child wears pre-used uniform they reduce their consumption, their impact on the environment as well as caring for family budgets. We hope children and adults are proud to wear second hand.

Old bags! We are hoping to reduce what children need to carry on trips and single use plastic bag use. We are collecting canvas or cotton bags so they can be used on trips. If you have at home or in the workplace any you are willing to donate, they'd be gratefully received by us here. 

Polystyrene pizza bases - Great for making printing plates. Clean them carefully, bring them in and we will re-use in Art.

Small pots with lids - We could reduce the glue sticks with single use plastic if we refill those little chutney pots from curry nights, face cream and other small pots with PVA glue. Please wash and donate. 

Supporting Good Causes

From 2017-2020 we choose two charities to support: one local and one global. By focusing on just two charitable causes each year there are greater opportunities for children to learn in depth about the work of NGOs (non-government organisations) and the voluntary sector.

During the Pandemic some activities were more limited. However we raised funds for a sea life appeal following children in the Eco group's concern about the marine environment.

From 2023 we'll be doing things differently. Each term we'll raise funds for causes reflecting our social, moral, cultural and spiritual curriculum that is taught and learned through assemblies, stories and whole school reflection time including the Community Assemblies which are led by children in UKS2. In Autumn term we'll focus fund raising on ourselves (including our Kingsmead Friends Association), other people (Spring) and environmental causes (Summer).

good causes.docx