Ethos and Values

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Gold Rights Respecting School - Children First

Here at Dene House Primary School, children come first in every decision we make, every action we take and every penny we spend - No excuses.

Our school has fully embraced the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and embedded them into our policies, practices, and overall ethos. We have achieved the highest Gold accreditation from UNICEF UK, recognising our deep commitment to promoting and realising children's rights

Achieving Gold means:

- Our whole school community, including children and adults, has a thorough understanding of children's rights. Rights respecting attitudes and language are embedded across the school.

- The Rights Respecting Schools program has had a positive impact on our students' learning, wellbeing, participation, relationships and self-esteem.

- Our students see themselves as rights respecting global citizens and advocates for social justice, fairness and children's rights, both locally and globally.

We are extremely proud that the transformative impact of being a Gold Rights Respecting School extends beyond our gates to make a positive difference in the wider community. Our continued dedication to sustaining this prestigious award demonstrates how the rights of the child are at the very heart of our school's identity and purpose.

Aspire, Achieve, Smile

Our mission is to encourage children to ASPIRE for excellence, equip them to ACHIEVE their goals, and foster a learning environment where they can SMILE and thrive. We believe that education should be engaging, relevant, and empowering.

6 Branches of Nurture

We believe that every child has the right to access to six essential branches of nurture that support their growth and development. These branches represent our commitment to creating a holistic and well-rounded learning experience.

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We believe in a positive approach to behaviour management. We provide clear expectations, consistent boundaries, and opportunities for children to learn and grow. We also encourage children to recognise and regulate their emotions, providing them with strategies to manage their feelings in healthy ways.

Positive Reinforcement: We recognise and reward positive behaviour through praise, incentives, and opportunities for leadership.

Restorative Practices: We focus on repairing harm and building relationships through dialogue, mediation, and problem-solving.

Collaborative Partnerships: We work closely with parents and caregivers to support children's behavioural development.

Language is the foundation of learning and communication. We provide a rich language environment that encourages children to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, and expression.

We place great importance on Talk, making sure there is an emphasis on talk when writing and discussing texts in Reading. Maths lessons also have a discussion starter activity to get pupils thinking and talking about the topic. Across the wider curriculum, we ensure all subjects have core vocabulary outlined for pupils to discuss and develop their understanding.

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We understand the importance of emotional and mental well-being. Our school provides a supportive and nurturing environment where children can feel safe, happy, and confident.

We have a dedicated team of professionals who are committed to supporting our students' well-being. This includes a pupil welfare officer, school counsellor, mental health lead, and regular staff CPD to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to provide the best possible support to our pupils.

Safety is our top priority. We have comprehensive safety procedures in place to ensure that our pupils are secure and protected at all times.

Secure Premises: Our school premises are secure and monitored with CCTV cameras and access control systems.

Emergency Procedures: We have clear and well-rehearsed emergency procedures in place for fire, medical emergencies, lockdown and other unforeseen events.

First Aid: We have several fully qualified paediatric first aiders on site and all staff have had first aid training

Child Protection: We adhere to strict child protection policies and procedures and have a designated safeguarding lead with 4 trained deputies.

Stay Safe Online & In The Wider World: We teach our pupils about internet safety and how to stay safe when travelling to and from school and when out and about in the local community.

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We provide children with a challenging and stimulating curriculum that fosters their curiosity and love of learning.

We believe in experiential learning and providing opportunities for children to apply their knowledge in real-world contexts.

  • We expose pupils to a range of diverse cultures through activities such as cultural days, guest speakers, stories, and visits to museums and art galleries.

  • We take pupils on visits and experiences that increase their cultural capital, helping them to develop a wider understanding of the world.

  • We engage with local community partners and projects, providing opportunities for pupils to learn from and contribute to their local community.

  • We also welcome visitors into school as part of our commitment to building strong relationships with the wider community.

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