promoting values
DESCRIPTION
Building workshops already delivered to headteachers from Stirling, South Ayrshire, and Glasgow, the objective of this taster session is to introduce an approach which enables: greater understanding of what we mean by values and ethical decision-making - recognition that shared values can improve the culture and ethos of schools - heightened awareness of how values can impact positively on all our lives.http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/slf/previousconferences/2007/seminars/promotingacultureofvaluesandethicaldecisionmaking.aspTRANSCRIPT
Promoting A Culture of Values
Sally Kennedy
Wednesday 19th September 2007
Allan’s Primary School
Current documentation Curriculum for Excellence Education Scotland Act 2000 Being Well, Doing Well Standard for Headship Chartered Teacher Programme Journey to Excellence HGIOS 3
UN Conventions on the Rights of the Child.
Curriculum for Excellence
RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS
EFFECTIVE CONTRIBUTORS
CONFIDENT INDIVIDUALS
SUCCESSFUL LEARNERS
Young people
will become
What are values? Building blocks To guide us Think about what matters Guide behaviour Inform decisions and judgements Good , active citizens
We use our values as guiding principles which inform our decision making, how we treat one another, what matters , collective understanding, think beyond self, citizenship , to contribute, looking after legacy
Aim
To agree a set of shared values to underpin the life and work of our school community:
As a point of reference for all children and adults
Through wide consultation
Why?
Defines our moral environment( operation of policies, goals, plans)
Shared reference points‘ small beacons of certainty in a troubled world ‘.-J Gardner
To specify behaviours and expectations
The Process- how ?????
Staff development session Pupil voice Parent focus groups Community focus group
Our Values
RESPECT :To be considerate of ourselves, others and
our environment COURAGE:To face challenges with confidence and
self-beliefINTEGRITY:To be honest in your intentionsENDEAVOUR:To be all you can beLOVE:To feel and act sincerely
Behaviours
Taking care of each other’s property / possessions
Listening to each other Valuing opinions Responding suitably to other’s actions
and feelings Giving praise Making time for others Recognise and celebrate differences Compromise / meet half way / give and
take Agree a solution
RESPECT
COURAGE
Have a ‘can do’ attitude ( and have a go)
Be heard Make good choices- don’t follow the
‘crowd’ Be true to yourself Stand up for yourself Have the confidence to embrace
change Accept criticism, learn from it and
move forward
INTEGRITY Be trustworthy Keep a confidence( but know when to
tell) Be open and honest Know what the right thing FOR YOU is Do the right thing for yourself and
others Learn from mistakes Believe you can do it Understand the ‘why’ of things
LOVE
Be happy and proud of yourself Be able to share thoughts and
feelings Give and accept praise Make time for others See the good in others Be welcoming Make a fresh start and move on
ENDEAVOUR
:Self-improvement Fulfil/ reach your potential- be all you can be Striving for your own goals Being happy with your effort Go the extra mile Being honest and realistic in expectations Aim to achieve realistic expectations Recognise that improvement can be in ANY and ALL areas –
excelling at one thing doesn’t signify excellence in all Build on your strengths Continually improve- regardless of your start point,
irrespective of others Persevere when things are difficult / challenging Think about steps needed to achieve goals Recognise that improving can be difficult and everything
doesn’t have to be perfect / correct for improvement to take place
Living the values
What can we do to demonstrate our values?
•develop ideas for involving parents in values eg class survey, research project, values book
•write to community members , politicians etc seeking views of their important values , collate and shar
•Circle time
•Poster design
•Leaflet design
And……… Scenarios , moral dilemmas
Doodles
Drawing
Agreed suggestions for behaviours which demonstrate each value eg brainstorming , mind mapping , lists etc
Fables, stories, poems
Citizenship and thinking skills resources
Or even……. Interact materials Sharing sessions – 10-15minutes per
week Pupil of the week format for value focus Comments Box (including pre-printed
slips for each value) Envelopes with names – to recognise and
celebrate individual contribution Message board Main school (or class) display /post it
board
Celebrating Success Book of Achievement Journey to Excellence wall display Awards- headteacher, interval, staff Values wheels Cars Inspirational story, poem , music Golden Book Scrolling screen in foyer
What people say about a values culture…..
We have celebrating success assemblies and a board and values called respect, courage, integrity, endeavour and love. Altogether it’s pride
P5
What I like about the values is that they are transferable
to home too! It’s great to see the individual child achieve
and then build towards class and school goals.
The Golden Book is lovely
The values have made a difference to the school and celebrating success assemblies help a lot as
well.
We have 5 different values and it helps us be a better school
I like the values because we have to put stickers on the wheels to show that we are helpful and kind
P4
P5
The consultation process ensured that
our whole school community really
bought into the values approach we wished
to promote .
In dealings with children , parents and the wider community
we can quote our values and agreed
behaviours
There is a marked difference in the ethos and sense of pride in our school and
values continue to impact positively everyday.
I have been surprised by my son’s understanding of the school
values. He is able to explain what each value means and , more
importantly, what they look like in terms of his attitudes and actions. I find myself referring to the values
at home
I think it’s good to have values everywhere, not
just school. I try my best to show the values but sometimes it can be
hardP2