Values & Ethos

When parents come to West Didsbury CE Primary for the first time, we often hear them marvelling at the caring, nurturing, family atmosphere of a school which also offers outstanding education. This is very much our vision for West Didsbury CE Primary as well:

To grow a diverse and creative educational community where we encourage belonging and nurture believing: together becoming fulfilled and responsible members of God’s world.

This vision is rooted in Mark 4: 30-32... Jesus once told a story about a tree that grew from the smallest of seeds. As it grew larger and larger, the birds of the air were attracted from the shade and made nests in its many branches.

These ideas of Belonging, Believing and Becoming are more than just buzz words - they’re the guiding principles behind everything we do at West Didsbury CE Primary.

Belonging

to each other in mutual support, respect and trust
to the community of Didsbury and providing it with outstanding local primary schooling
to the Diocese of Manchester, as part of a family of 191 Church of England schools
to the world in which we live, caring for the whole of creation regardless of race, religion or background

Believing

in our gifts and abilities, as each child is unique and valuable
in our potential, as each child will be challenged and nurtured
in our Christian faith, as each child will be guided by our church ethos and values

Becoming

responsible and productive - a force for good in society
engaged and pro-active - ready to change and challenge the world around us
aware of our vocation, with a growing sense of purpose and preference
well-rounded and self-aware, through a holistic and broad-based education

British Values

The topic of British Values is now part of the curriculum and schools have to equip children for life in modern Britain. The DfE have 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

participation in community life

At West Didsbury CE our core fundamental values do indeed enable our children to live in a diverse society. What does is mean for our curriculum?

These 5 elements are woven through out our curriculum.

As a school community at West Didsbury CE, we believe that everyone has the right to belong, the right to be believe, the right to be become what they would like to aspire to and the right to feel valued. The values we promote through all we do and say are as follows:

Honesty

Co-operation

Mutual Respect

Being valued

Tolerance

These and our British Values are also threaded through the area of our curriculum known as SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development). At West Didsbury CE we are proud of how we are developing the high quality SMSC we provide.

Spiritual Development

Pupils’ spiritual development involves the growth of their sense of self, their unique potential, their understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, and their will to achieve. As their curiosity about themselves and their place in the world increases, they try to answer for themselves some of life’s fundamental questions. They develop the knowledge, skills, understanding, qualities and attitudes they need to foster their own inner lives and non-material wellbeing.

Moral Development

Pupils’ moral development involves pupils acquiring an understanding of the difference between right and wrong and of moral conflict, a concern for others and the will to do what is right. They are able and willing to reflect on the consequences of their actions and learn how to forgive themselves and others. They develop the knowledge, skills and understanding, qualities and attitudes they need in order to make responsible moral decisions and act on them.

Social Development

Pupils’ social development involves pupils acquiring an understanding of the responsibilities and rights of being members of families and communities (local, national and global), and an ability to relate to others and to work with others for the common good. They display a sense of belonging and an increasing willingness to participate. They develop the knowledge, skills, understanding, qualities and attitudes they need to make an active contribution to the democratic process in each of their communities.

Cultural Development

Pupils’ cultural development involves pupils acquiring an understanding of cultural traditions and ability to appreciate and respond to a variety of aesthetic experiences. They acquire a respect for their own culture and that of others, an interest in others’ ways of doing things and curiosity about differences. They develop the knowledge, skills, understanding, qualities and attitudes they need to understand, appreciate and contribute to culture.

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