Core Values
At Ramsgate Arts Primary School, we have carefully selected seven values to develop in our pupils. These core values are explored both discretely and organically throughout the year.
It is our intention that, with guidance and practice, our pupils will develop a strong understanding of these values, learning to apply them in their lives both within and beyond school.
What are Ramsgate Arts Primary School’s core values?
Ramsgate Arts Primary School’s values are
- Kindness
- Collaboration
- Resilience
- Creativity
Why have we chosen these values?
We believe that each value brings the opportunity for pupils to flourish. Although there are hundreds of other values and character traits to choose from, for us, within our setting these values stand out as core values.
Below, please find details about our interpretation of each value and the knowledge, skills and wisdom we believe them to ignite in our pupils.
Kindness
Kindness is the quality of being friendly, considerate, and empathetic towards others. It involves actions and words that show care, support, and respect for classmates, teachers, and other staff. Demonstrating kindness includes helping others, sharing, being polite, listening attentively, and showing gratitude. It fosters a positive and inclusive school environment where everyone feels valued and respected, promoting a sense of community and cooperation among students.
Definition of kindness shared with the pupils: being nice to others.
Key vocabulary used when discussing kindness: Compassion, Generosity, Empathy, Benevolence, Altruism, Warmth, Charity, Tenderness, Thoughtfulness, Gentleness, Caring, Helpfulness, Goodwill, Humanity, Consideration, Mercy, Patience, Forgiveness, Supportiveness, Friendliness
Collaboration
Collaboration refers to the practice of working together with classmates and staff to achieve common goals. It involves sharing ideas, listening to others, contributing to group tasks, and respecting diverse perspectives. Demonstrating collaboration includes effective communication, cooperation, taking on different roles within a group, and helping peers. It fosters a sense of teamwork and community, enhances learning experiences, and helps children develop social and interpersonal skills essential for their future.
Definition of collaboration shared with the pupils: working together as a team.
Key vocabulary used when discussing collaboration: Teamwork, Cooperation, Partnership, Synergy, Coordination, Unity, Alliance, Participation, Joint effort, Mutual support, Contributive, Collective, Solidarity, Assistance, Cohesion, Networking, Interdependence, Co-working
Resilience
Resilience is the ability to recover from setbacks, adapt to change, and keep going in the face of challenges. It involves a growth mindset, where children learn to view difficulties as opportunities for growth and development. Demonstrating resilience includes staying positive, trying again after failure, asking for help when needed, and maintaining effort even when tasks are difficult. It helps children build confidence, perseverance, and emotional strength, contributing to their overall well-being and academic success.
Definition of resilience shared with the pupils: trying our best and keeping going even when things are tough.
Key vocabulary used when discussing resilience: Perseverance, Tenacity, Endurance, Adaptability, Strength, Determination, Fortitude, Grit, Toughness, Recovery, Durability, Persistence, Flexibility, Stamina, Hardiness, Robustness, Resolve, Keeping going, Bouncing back
Creativity
Creativity refers to the ability to think imaginatively, explore new ideas, and express oneself in unique ways. It involves curiosity, originality, and the willingness to take risks and experiment. Demonstrating creativity includes generating innovative solutions to problems, engaging in the arts, thinking outside the box, and embracing diverse ways of learning and thinking. It encourages children to develop their individual talents, enhances problem-solving skills, and makes learning more engaging and enjoyable.
Definition of creativity shared with the pupils: using our imaginations and creating things
Key vocabulary used when discussing creativity: Innovation, Imagination, Originality, Inspiration, Ingenuity, Vision, Inventiveness, Resourcefulness, Artistic, Expressiveness, Uniqueness, Novelty, Curiosity, Intuition, Insight, Imagination, Experimentation, Performance
How are core values embedded into the school ethos at Ramsgate Arts Primary School?
At Ramsgate Arts Primary School, core values form the fabric of our school culture. Each term has a core value or values, and all core values are woven into school life.
Discrete teaching of the core values through the value of the term
Through whole school assemblies, our pupils are taught about the meaning and benefits of the term's core value. They are taught how the value can be used to develop them as individuals within our school community. They learn the features of the value and celebrate the value in themselves and others.
Each term, during Personal Development Week (read more about this in the Personal Development section of the website) pupils engage in lessons relating to the value of the term. These lessons are both cohesive and progressive across the school, meaning that the pupils' understanding of the value grows with them as they move through the school.
Core Values in day-to-day life at Ramsgate Arts Primary School
Each core value is developed subtly as pupils move through their learning lives. Pupils who display the core values are celebrated for doing so through our weekly Celebration Assembly, and through praise and recognition from the class adults, their peers and senior leaders too.
Pupils are encouraged to reflect on their use of the values and are often given opportunities in class to evaluate how they embody the values. If a child needs to develop their use of a core value, adults are able to guide them with effective suggestions or support to do so.
All staff know and understand our core values. Biennially, we hold professional development meetings designed to assist our teachers in developing their appreciation of each value and help them find ways to maximise the value within their daily teaching practice. The RAPS team take time to display the values to the pupils and act as role models for each of the values too.
Do you assess pupils’ use of the core values?
Core values at Ramsgate Arts Primary School are not formally assessed. It would be very difficult to assess an individual’s use of the core values because young people move fluidly through their application of these as they grow and change. There are so many influencing factors relating to the core values so assessing pupils formally against the values would not lead to accurate or useful results.
What teachers can and do manage is to informally make observations about a pupils’ use of the values. Through day-to-day learning, teachers can make informal observations of how pupils apply the values. In turn, use these observations can be used to make simple judgements about pupils in relation to how they express and embody each value. For example, one child might show a real drive for challenge in all they do, but need to develop their collaborative interactions with their peers. Making these informal judgments enables teachers to offer pupils individualised and pragmatic support to improve their personal development.
How will parents/carers know how well their child is using the school’s core values?
Through regular and informal interactions and with the class teacher, your child’s use of the core values will often become an organic topic of discussion.
Ramsgate Arts Primary School hosts formal parent’s meetings twice per academic year. These meetings are prime opportunities for parents/carers and teachers to discuss how well children understand and use the core values.
In addition to this, teachers write reports on their pupils each year. Through the reports, comments are made on an individual’s personal development, which includes reflections about how well they embody the core values.
If you would like to know more about how your child responds to and uses the core values, please contact their class teacher. Equally, if you wish to support your child’s use of the values, please see the ‘Developing the Core values at Home' suggestions below.
Developing the core values at home - Ten Top Tips for Parents and Carers
Practising and celebrating the core values at home is a great way to help your child develop personally. Below are ten top tips for using the core values at home.
Create opportunities for developing kindness. Fostering kindness in children begins at home and is essential for their social and emotional development. Parents can nurture kindness by modelling compassionate behaviour in their daily interactions. Showing empathy, helping others, and demonstrating respect towards everyone teaches children the importance of kindness. Encouraging acts of kindness towards siblings, peers, and community members reinforces this behaviour. Parents can highlight the positive impact of small gestures, such as sharing toys or offering assistance, to cultivate empathy and generosity in children. Creating a supportive environment where kindness is valued is crucial. Praising and acknowledging kind actions reinforces these behaviours. Teaching children to recognise and appreciate diversity, and to treat others with fairness and inclusivity, fosters a culture of kindness and respect. Engaging in activities that promote empathy and compassion, such as volunteering as a family or discussing real-life examples of kindness, helps children understand the broader impact of their actions. Encouraging open communication and resolving conflicts peacefully also reinforces kindness in daily interactions. By consistently modelling, encouraging, and reinforcing acts of kindness, parents can instil values of compassion and empathy in their children, empowering them to contribute positively to their communities and build meaningful relationships.
Create opportunities for developing collaboration. Many children find collaborating difficult. Parents can cultivate collaboration by encouraging teamwork in various activities, such as household chores or family projects. Assigning roles and responsibilities that require cooperation helps children understand the value of working together towards a common goal. Modelling collaborative behaviour is essential. Parents can demonstrate how to communicate effectively, listen actively, and resolve conflicts peacefully when working with others. This sets a positive example and teaches children important social skills. Encouraging opportunities for joint decision-making and problem-solving also promotes collaboration. Involving children in discussions about family decisions and encouraging them to brainstorm solutions together fosters their ability to work collaboratively and consider different perspectives. Creating a supportive environment where sharing ideas and respecting others' contributions is valued reinforces collaborative behaviour. Celebrating successes achieved through teamwork and acknowledging individual contributions encourages children to appreciate the benefits of collaboration. Engaging in group activities outside the home, such as team sports, clubs, or community projects, provides further opportunities for children to practice collaboration skills in different settings. By consistently modelling, encouraging, and providing opportunities for collaboration, parents help children develop essential teamwork skills that are valuable throughout their lives. These skills enable children to contribute positively to group efforts, build strong relationships, and navigate various social contexts effectively.
Create opportunities for developing resilience. Developing resilience in children is crucial for their emotional well-being. Parents and carers can cultivate resilience by encouraging problem-solving and critical thinking. It's important to allow children to face challenges, offering guidance without immediately solving problems, which fosters confidence and resilience. Modelling resilient behaviour is also key. Parents should demonstrate how to handle stress calmly and effectively, sharing personal experiences of overcoming obstacles. This helps children learn that setbacks are part of life and can be overcome with effort and perseverance. Building strong family relationships provides a supportive environment. Spending quality time together, listening actively, and showing empathy strengthens bonds and offers emotional support. Teaching children healthy coping strategies such as mindfulness, physical activity, and engaging in hobbies helps them manage stress and recover from setbacks. Lastly, fostering a sense of purpose and optimism is crucial. Encouraging children to set goals, engage in meaningful activities, and focus on positive aspects of their lives promotes resilience. By integrating these practices into daily routines, parents can empower their children to develop resilience, equipping them with essential skills to navigate challenges and thrive in their lives.
Create opportunities for developing creativity. By providing opportunities for imaginative play and exploration, parents can nuture creativity. Offering a variety of materials and toys that encourage open-ended play stimulates children's creativity and problem-solving skills. Modelling creative thinking is important. Parents can demonstrate how to brainstorm ideas, explore new interests, and approach tasks from different perspectives. Showing enthusiasm for creative pursuits and sharing personal creative experiences encourages children to express themselves creatively. Creating a supportive environment where experimentation and risk-taking are encouraged is key. Celebrating creativity and valuing unique ideas helps children develop confidence in their creative abilities. Providing time and space for creative activities, such as art, music, writing, or building projects, allows children to explore their interests and develop their talents. Encouraging curiosity and asking open-ended questions fosters critical thinking and creativity. Supporting children's interests and letting them take the lead in their creative endeavours promotes a sense of autonomy and self-expression. Engaging in creative activities as a family, such as storytelling, crafting, or exploring nature, fosters bonding and inspires collaborative creativity. Visiting museums, attending performances, and exposing children to diverse cultural experiences also broaden their creative horizons. By nurturing creativity through encouragement, modelling, and providing opportunities for exploration, parents help children develop essential skills that enhance their ability to innovate, solve problems creatively, and express themselves confidently in various aspects of life.
- Create opportunities for developing aspiration. Modelling your own aspirations and hopes can be very powerful. Talking to your child about their aspirations is great, but be mindful to listen to and respect their aspirations- even if these differ wildly from your own aspirations for them as a parent/carer.
- Praise your child. When you notice they have shown elements of a value, praise them and tell them how showing this behaviour will positively impact themselves or others. For example, ‘You really faced the challenge when learning to ride your bike. Even when it was difficult, you showed resilience to keep trying! You’ll get better each time you practise.’
- Tread carefully with feedback. Character traits can be very personal, so when offering feedback to your child about poor use of a core value, do so with respect and tact. Avoid criticism, e.g. ‘You really can’t collaborate well with your brother can you!’ and aim for constructive feedback instead, e.g. ‘It’s hard for you to get along with your brother when you act this way. Try to show better collaboration by listening to his ideas respectfully.’
- The balance between recognising their challenges and maintaining expectations. We all find different things challenging. Some children will find it difficult to work alongside others, whilst some will find it very difficult to act with autonomy. Knowing your child’s challenges can help you relate to them. Show empathy for your child by making sure they know you understand that this is something hard for them. At the same time, find a balance between knowing this and accepting this. Just because your child finds it hard to share, doesn’t mean they should not do so! Try to keep in mind what it is you expect your child to realistically achieve and use this to drive how you respond to their behaviours.
All in all, developing core values at home is something that will likely happen through your daily interactions with your child. Avoid putting pressure on yourself or your child and approach the values with a sense of joy and celebration!