Academy Vision

We empower children to become confident, independent learners and responsible leaders who are equipped to shape their own futures and make a positive difference in the world around them.

We believe that children thrive when they are trusted with responsibility, encouraged to think critically and given meaningful opportunities to lead. Through a rich and ambitious curriculum, children will develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to make informed choices, solve problems creatively and take increasing ownership of their learning.

Learning at HMA will be purposeful, engaging and challenging, enabling children to develop resilience, self-belief and a growth mindset. They will understand that success comes through effort, perseverance and reflection, and will be encouraged to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.

The curriculum will champion academic excellence while creating opportunities for children to develop leadership through roles and responsibilities across the school. Whether acting as School Councillors, Journalists, Sports Leaders, Eco Champions, Reading buddies or OPAL play leaders, children will learn how to influence, collaborate and contribute positively to their community.

Enrichment opportunities, including educational visits, outdoor learning, performances, competitions, community projects and charitable initiatives, will extend learning beyond the classroom. These experiences will help children develop independence, broaden their horizons and deepen their understanding of their role as active citizens in modern Britain and the wider world.

At HMA, children’s wellbeing and sense of belonging are fundamental. Through our values of respect, patience, kindness and honesty, children will learn to care for themselves, others and their environment. They will develop the character, confidence and integrity needed to navigate an ever-changing world and become compassionate, responsible leaders of the future.

Strong partnerships with families, the trust and the wider community will enrich children’s experiences and strengthen their understanding of the diverse world in which they live. Together, we will create a culture where every child is encouraged to aspire, achieve, lead and belong.

Through excellent teaching, high expectations and a commitment to nurturing character alongside academic success, HMA will develop independent thinkers, confident communicators and future leaders who are ready to thrive in education, employment and life.

British Values

The DfE have recently reinforced the need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all 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.”

The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values were reiterated in 2014.  At Herons’ Moor Academy these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways.

Democracy

Herons’ Moor is a Values-based Education school. Each year the children decide upon their class contract and the rights associated with these. All the children contribute to the drawing up of the contract and sign it.

Children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. We have a school council which meets regularly to discuss issues raised in class council meetings. Two members for each class are voted in by their peers.

Each week, some children in years 1-6 are able to nominate and vote for children to achieve a “star of the week” certificate” or “special star chair” for younger children.

Each year staff are given a questionnaire (which can be anonymous) to air their point of view about all areas of school life. Points raised are brought up in staff meetings and addressed. Key stage meetings are also a good opportunity for teachers to feel able to discuss issues about life here. We also have union representatives that can support us if needed.

Parents/carers are also given questionnaires to fill out about how to improve life at Herons’ Moor. These issues are then discussed with staff and governors. There is an open communication link between the school and parents/carers – we have a pupil and family liaison team dedicated to ensuring all needs are met.

Children are given a questionnaire to voice their opinions about school life. Staff are given time to address any issues that may have arisen from these.

The Rule of Law

The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message.

Individual Liberty

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school, we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education.  Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and Values lessons. Whether it be through choice of learning challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices. Our Values assemblies (held once a month) also encourage children to understand choices and boundaries and this message is delivered in a child friendly manner.

Mutual Respect

As a Values-based Education School, mutual respect is at the heart of our values and is the first Value in our two-year cycle. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect. We share our school facilities with a special needs school who educate children with a wide variety of additional needs. Herons’ Moor children work regularly with these children and are very accepting with children with different disabilities. They enjoy doing linked work together such as country dancing, making Christmas and Easter decorations as well as holding joint assemblies.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Herons’ Moor is situated in an area which is not greatly culturally diverse, therefore we place a great emphasis on promoting diversity with the children. Assemblies are regularly planned to address this issue either directly or through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures. Our RE, PSHE and Values teaching reinforce this. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. Children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths. We also hold an International week every year with our partner school to encourage children to learn and celebrate different cultures.