Our Values

We seek to promote an educational philosophy based on valuing self, others and the environment.

Values are principles that guide behaviour and choices.  At Burnside, adults model values and give time for reflective practices. Our motto is Be Safe, Be Smart, Be Kind. We believe in empowering individuals to be effective learners and good citizens. The values that we teach help pupils develop their character, to know that individual differences should be valued, to be resilient, reflective, to have empathy and respect for one another.

Our curriculum underpins our work to actively promote fundamental British values of democracy, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those from all faiths, backgrounds and cultures.  A rounded programme of assemblies and events promote children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, enabling them to develop their own moral and ethical compass to guide what is right and what is wrong.

Our Core Values

We have three core school values that guide children's choices, behaviour and learning.  These values are the basis of all our values teaching and will help children understand connected values.

Our core values are:

• Be Safe
• Be Smart
• Be Kind

These Values have been chosen by carefully and which ones would develop children the most morally and educationally. 

How we teach the core values

Children in the early years start by focusing on just the core values. As pupils move through key stage 1 and 2 we begin to teach linked values, widening the pupils understanding of each core values by connecting with similar values. The focus with every value is what the value looks like to us and how it looks in action. Teaching of values is cyclical, we return to each core value frequently to deepen understanding. 

The value of sustainability ( BE SMART ) also underpins our wider curriculum, this is reflected by our Eco Schools Award Status.