Our School Values
At Earlham, everything we do is guided by a set of shared values that help every child feel safe, included, inspired and ready to achieve their very best. These values shape our learning, our relationships and our school community every day.
🌱 Kindness
Small acts of kindness make a big difference.
We choose empathy, understanding and encouragement every day.
💙 Respect
We show respect by caring for ourselves, each other and our environment.
Every voice is valued, and everyone is treated with kindness and fairness.
🤝 Responsibility
We take responsibility for our learning, our behaviour and our choices.
We work hard, stay curious and always try our best.
💪 Perseverance
We keep going, even when things are difficult.
We encourage children to develop resilience, try new challenges and never give up.
🌍 Tolerance
We embrace diversity and value each other’s differences.
We listen, learn and show acceptance towards all cultures, backgrounds and beliefs
What these values look like in everyday school life
- Warm, positive relationships between children and adults
- Classrooms where everyone is encouraged and supported
- Celebrations of diversity, culture and individuality
- A curriculum that promotes curiosity, creativity and challenge
- A positive behaviour culture focused on respect and caring for others
- Opportunities to work together, from group projects to whole‑school events
Our commitment
We are committed to making our school a place where every child feels safe, happy and ready to learn. Our values guide us in building a community where everyone can thrive.
British Values
At Earlham, British Values are not taught in isolation—they are woven through our daily practice, our curriculum and our school values. Here is how each British Value connects naturally to the values we promote every day.
Democracy
Linked School Values: Respectful · Kind · Responsible
- Respectful – We listen to others’ views and value everyone’s voice.
- Kind – We take part in discussions in a caring, considerate way.
- Responsible – We use our voice wisely and contribute to class or school decisions.
In practice: School council, class voting, pupil leadership, shared decision‑making.
In our school, children share their views and ideas through our elected School Council, which follows a child‑friendly democratic voting process. The council meets regularly to discuss school priorities and contributes to staff recruitment by meeting candidates and offering feedback.
Subject leaders also gather pupil voice through conferencing and surveys, helping us evaluate the curriculum and improve key areas such as behaviour and wellbeing.
The Rule of Law
Linked School Values: Responsible · Respectful · Perseverance
- Responsible – We understand and follow rules that keep everyone safe.
- Respectful – We respect rules and understand why they are needed.
- Perseverance – We keep trying to make positive choices, even when it is difficult.
In practice: Clear expectations, behaviour systems, restorative approaches, learning about laws in society.
We teach our children why rules and laws exist, how they protect us, and the consequences when they are not followed. Through RSHE and assemblies, the themes of trust, honesty and respect are explored helping them to develop a strong sense of right and wrong.
Our trauma‑informed behaviour policy ensures pupils understand expectations, rewards and consequences. We also work closely with local police officers and other important professionals, who visit to explain their role in the community. As part of our TfL Stars work, the children help promote traffic safety outside the school, supporting a safe environment at the start and end of the day.
Individual Liberty
Linked School Values: Responsible · Kind · Perseverance
- Responsible – We make good choices and understand consequences.
- Kind – We respect others’ freedom to be themselves.
- Perseverance – We develop confidence to make independent, safe decisions.
In practice: Choice in learning, celebrating uniqueness, safe risk‑taking, encouraging independence.
At our school, children are encouraged to make positive choices, try new things and take responsibility for their learning. We support them to develop confidence, independence and high aspirations.
We support every child recognise their strengths, express their ideas and understand that they have the freedom to be themselves within a safe and supportive environment.
The children are taught how to keep themselves safe—both in and out of school. This includes understanding personal boundaries, consent. Through our RSHE curriculum and the NSPCC PANTS lessons, the children are taught that their body belongs to them.
Mutual Respect
Linked School Values: Respectful · Kind · Perseverance
- Respectful – We treat others how we would like to be treated.
- Kind – We show care and consideration in our words and actions.
- Perseverance – We keep trying to work together, even when relationships are challenging.
In practice: Teamwork, positive relationships, anti‑bullying work, celebrating achievements.
Are children are taught that mutual respect means valuing each other’s ideas, feelings and differences. It involves treating others how we would like to be treated and understanding that everyone deserves kindness and fairness. This is central to building a positive, inclusive school community where children feel safe, valued and able to learn.
Our staff consistently model good manners, active listening, turn‑taking and positive language throughout the school day to teach children what respectful behaviour looks and sounds like.
Across the school behaviour expectations and school values are reinforced to help children understand what respect means in everyday situations—sharing, cooperating, and resolving disagreements calmly. In addition, each class creates and signs a class contract at the start of each academic year.
Through our RSHE and PSHE lessons, children are taught about friendships, feelings, fairness and understanding others. These lessons help them develop empathy and respect for different backgrounds, abilities and beliefs.
Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs
Linked School Values: Tolerant · Kind · Respectful
- Tolerant – We value and welcome differences in beliefs and cultures.
- Kind – We show understanding and care towards others.
- Respectful – We listen to and appreciate perspectives different from our own.
In practice: RE lessons, cultural celebrations, assemblies, visitors, community links.
Pupils are Earlham learn that difference is something to be welcomed and celebrated. We promote and celebrate diversity through a range of activities including assemblies, whole school events and stories. We also ensure that our curriculum links help pupils appreciate different cultures, faiths and perspectives.
Group activities, partner work and class discussions help children learn to listen, take turns, appreciate other viewpoints and work towards shared goals.
When disagreements occur, children are guided to reflect, listen to each other and repair relationships. This builds understanding, empathy and responsibility for their actions.