Our Vision
At Southfields, every child will develop their unique potential and open their minds to what is possible.
Our Mission Statement
At Southfields, we aspire to deliver the very best educational experience for our pupils. We know that outcomes for our pupils extend beyond the academic, to include our pupils’ social, emotional, and personal development and to provide them with the best possible grounding as they move into the next phase of their education. Through promoting inclusion for all, we prepare our children to contribute fully to life in modern Britain. Our talented and amazing staff are passionate at immersing our children in a wide range of experiences that draw upon our rich links with the local community. We believe wholeheartedly in developing the physical and mental wellbeing of our children and promote a culture of success for all.
Our Values
The school has created its own set of values which are known as ‘GARK’, standing for:
Good learners
Accepting
Respect
Kindness
These values can be seen in practice across the whole school.
Good Learners
When a child leaves Southfields Primary School we believe we have equipped them with the enthusiasm and knowledge, skills and concepts, attitudes and techniques to enable them to continue learning within and beyond school, and in the future. In order to achieve this, children are supported and encouraged to develop good learning habits – take pride in the work they do; use initiative and become independent and confident learners who strive to do their best and reach their full potential; to rise to the challenges, be resilient and persevere to see them through; communicate effectively and work collaboratively on shared learning experiences.Accepting
This means to accept our differences. It means showing acceptance and respect, no matter the race, religion, age, gender, ability, opinions, and ideologies of other people or groups. One of the Fundamental British Values to be taught in schools is about tolerance – a fair, and objective, attitude to those whose faith and beliefs may differ from one’s own. At Southfields Primary School we do not believe that a diversity of faiths and beliefs is something to be tolerated but rather accepted and celebrated. As a school, we are emboldened and strengthened by our diversity. We promote the importance of learning and working together as defined in our Equality Policy and SEND Policy.
Respect
Mutual respect, another Fundamental British Value, is at the heart of our school and underpins our relationships with each other, our manners, our conversations and our attitude towards each other, our work and our belongings, school, community and world. Through assemblies, PSHE and day to day incidental opportunities, 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. ‘Treat others the way you want to be treated, not making anyone feel less than you, everyone’s opinions are as good as yours, listen to others, show politeness and manners to everyone, help others, be caring and kind, respecting feelings, respecting everyone’s property including your own.’
Kindness
This a key component of our ethos and Anti-bullying Policy. Friendliness and empathy sit within this value as we strive to be a bully free school. Being polite to each other, showing affection, smiling, using our manners, thinking about others before ourselves, making others know you care are the ways that we show kindness at Southfields.
Promoting 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, 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 Southfields these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy
We have a school council which meets every half term. to discuss issues raised within school. Every child on the school council is voted in by their class. The council make decisions about a range of things.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Southfields.
Pupils are taught from an early age the rules of the school. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and 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.
The Individual Liberty
At Southfields, 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 informed choices. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our Online Safety and PSHCE lessons.
Children are able to make choices about joining extra-curricular clubs, what to present in class assemblies and the level of challenge in some lessons.
Mutual Respect
We have a school council which meets every half term. to discuss issues raised within school. Every child on the school council is voted in by their class. The council make decisions about a range of things.
Tolerance of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
We promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures. Religious Education lessons, assemblies and PSHCE lessons reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others. Members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. The children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths and denominations.