Ethos & Values

Our motto, Grow, Learn, Believe, Achieve, sums up our ethos and values.  At Higham, we enable children to grow into confident, responsible, caring young people.  During their time here they learn all they need to take a productive role in society, and to pursue their dreams.  They believe that they are capable of whatever they set their minds to, and we help them to achieve the very best they can.

We help pupils to:

• Develop lively, enquiring minds

• Acquire knowledge and skills relevant to adult life

• Use language and mathematical concepts effectively

• Develop a sense of awe and wonder for their spiritual world

• Understand that people come from different backgrounds and cultures, and respect the fact that they may hold different views

• Show respect for others, and demonstrate good manners

• Understand the world in which they live

• Be proud of their own achievements and appreciate the achievements of others

• Form strong, supportive relationships with other children and adults, both in school and the wider world

• Know the difference between right and wrong and make the right choices

Promoting British Values

The DfE require 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.'

These are values that have a central place in the way our children learn and in the content of our curriculum at Higham Primary School.  This is taught through PSHE and RE lessons, but this is only a small part of what happens at our school! 

• The children learn about, and practice, democracy through having their own voices heard via the School Council, voting for House Captains, and having a say in other things which happen in the school, for example when we revised our behaviour and home learning policies. 

• We learn about the importance of laws in the class, the school and the wider community, through the exercise of a fair behaviour policy and opportunities for discussion in PSHE and assemblies. 

• Children at Higham are encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment, and in this way develop their understanding of individual liberty.  They learn about rights and personal freedoms and the responsibilities that come with choice.

• Our behaviour policy is built around the need for all members of the community to show respect to each other

• Our PSHE and RE curricula seek to enhance pupils' understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society, along with discussions, visits, visitors and the modelling of a tolerant and accepting attitude.