Why do we learn our Values and Character Programme?
At Ark Pioneer, the curriculum extends beyond our academic programme to provide strong foundations for our pupils’ broader development. We believe our provision will enable every pupil to play a confident, informed role in society, interacting with other people in a positive way.
Our programme of values and character development includes:
- Supporting our pupils to develop their character, including their honesty, adaptability and their courage
- Provision for teaching them how to keep physically and mentally healthy (see our RSE Policy for further information on the specifics of our Relationships and Sex Education programme)
- Preparation for life beyond school by teaching them to be reflective and responsible pupils, family members and citizens
- Developing their understanding of our values as a school, the fundamental British values and alongside this an understanding and appreciation of diversity
Every Ark Pioneer pupil will have four thirty-minute tutor sessions per week and one whole school assembly (up to 30 minutes long). Assembly, which is led by a member of the senior team/HOY will focus on drawing together each weeks overarching theme, alongside discussing important national and international issues in society e.g Black History Month and Safer Internet Day.
Our values
A key part of our V & C programme is teaching pupils the positive behaviours that demonstrate our values in action. This is called ‘Living our Values’. Once a week, pupils explore different scenarios that link to the theme being discussed that week. In these scenarios pupils tackle what are the positive behaviours they would like to see in our school and wider community.
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Aim High |
This means that we… … believe in our ambitious vision, model high expectations and adopt a growth mindset in everything we do. |
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Have Integrity |
This means that we… … are honest at all times, make good decisions in tough situations and embrace change when it’s needed. |
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Be Kind |
This means that we… … are kind, show respect to everyone in our school and wider community and assume the best of everyone. |
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Model Determination |
This means that we… … always strive to improve, are open to feedback and receive it well, and learn from difficulty. |
British Values
At Ark Pioneer, we will actively promote the fundamental British values. These values are embedded in our values and character programme, in school assemblies and are taught through our academic curriculum and example of this is the focus for the year 7 spring term programme: ‘Expressing my views in a democratic society’. As a school, we also commit to challenging any opinions or behaviours in our school that are contrary to these fundamental British values.
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Democracy |
This means that we… … Understand how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process |
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Rule of law |
This means that we… … Appreciate that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens and is essential for their wellbeing and safety …Understand that there is a separation of power between the executive and the judiciary (though public bodies such as the police or army can be held to account through Parliament, others, such as the courts, maintain independence) |
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Individual liberty |
This means that we… … Are aware of our freedom to hold other faiths and beliefs and know that this is protected in law |
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Mutual respect and tolerance |
This means that we… … Accept that people having different faiths or beliefs should be accepted and respected, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour …Understand the importance of identifying and combatting unfair or illegal discrimination |
Building strong character traits
At Ark Pioneer, we will build on each child’s character and habits to support both their academic and personal development. Our character programme will teach pupils about nine personal attributes: Curiosity, Honesty, Altruism, Reflectiveness, Adaptability, Courage, Tenacity, Empathy and Responsibility through concrete examples.
We will develop pupils’ understanding of these key character traits throughout their life at Ark Pioneer academy and across the curriculum, including through our enrichment programme. We believe this will enable our pupils to be both successful learners and active participants within their communities and wider societies.
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Curiosity |
This means that I am… …open minded, enthusiastic and imaginative. Which means that I can… …question, notice and absorb myself in leaning. |
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Honesty |
This means that I am… … humble and open. Which means that I can… …show integrity, be true to myself, give my opinion, tell the truth, admit it when I have made a mistake. |
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Altruism |
This means that I am… …humane, kind and a good citizen. Which means that I can… …put others first, give to charity and give others a chance to answer questions. |
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Reflectiveness |
This means that I am… …patient, thoughtful, self-aware and mindful. Which means that I can… …make improvements, self-assess and draw out key learning points. |
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Adaptability |
This means that I am… …reasoning and flexible. Which means that I can… …transfer skills, problem solve, make connections, recycle, imitate, remember, use all the resources available and work with different people and in groups. |
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Courage |
This means that I am… …optimistic, brave and confident. Which means that I can… …lead, experiment, take risks, role-model and try new things. |
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Tenacity |
This means that I am… …resilient, motivated, target focused and ambitious. Which means that I can… …practise, revise, stick at difficult problems, accept criticism, plan and set targets. |
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Empathy |
This means that I am… …tolerant, emotionally intelligent, sociable and understanding. Which means that I can… …listen, collaborate, communicate and learn for others. |
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Responsibility |
This means that I am… …organised, hardworking, reliable, self-disciplined, self-regulating and independent. Which means that I can… …organise home learning, meet deadlines and attend catch-ups. |
Key Dispositions
We want every pupil to do well enough to go to university or pursue the career of their choice. To support this, we will ensure that alongside setting high expectations for academic progress, we will focus on building the habits and skills most desired by employers and universities. Pupils will learn to be independent and organised. We will teach them how to take notes and conduct research, how to listen, discuss and debate; they will be confident speaking in public.
As well as teaching these key dispositions needed to succeed at university and in the workplace within the curriculum for each subject, we will also integrate them into our tutor and assemblies programme.
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Collaborating |
Which means that I can… …use paired talk to develop ideas, organise work by delegating in a team, reflect on your contribution in a team task, identify the contribution of others in a team task, provide feedback to support others’ development |
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Discussing and Debating |
Which means that I can… …know the habits of a discussion, share my views confidently and appropriately, chair a discussion, question others, summarise a discussion |
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Use Evidence and Data |
Which means that I can… …answer questions from a chart, support a point using evidence/ data, recognise the limitations of a data source |
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Planning |
Which means that I can… …estimate time for a particular task, plan out a longer project, use mind maps to plan a structure, manage independent time effectively, plan an argument |
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Researching |
Which means that I can… …answer specific research questions, reference sources, consider reliability of sources, incorporate research into my work |
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Note Taking |
Which means that I can… …pick out key points from a written text, pick out key points from an aural/ visual text, take targeted notes from a range of text types |
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Proofing and Checking |
Which means that I can… … use my red pen consistently to mark my work, respond to feedback and make improvements in my work, redraft work, recognise common errors in my own work and proof read for them |
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Presentation Skills |
Which means that I can… …deliver lines/ speak directly to an audience, plan and deliver a presentation to a class, use visual aids effectively in a presentation, use technology to enhance a presentation |
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Revision Techniques |
Which means that I can… …plan a revision timetable, use a variety of techniques in my revision, independently create revision materials, adapt a revision schedule based on strengths and areas for development |
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Technology |
Which means that I can… … complete online HL, find information online from reputable sources, use a range of programmes |
Year 7 - Values and Character Programme
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
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| Education: Getting the most out of school. |
Community: Who am I and how should I treat others. |
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Pupils understand the importance of education and develop an awareness of the educational experiences that others have around the world. Key characteristics: Responsibility, empathy and adaptability |
Pupils consider the things that make them unique. They look at their identity in relation to others. They discuss how differences can be accepted within our community. Key characteristics: Reflectiveness, Courage, Empathy |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| E-Safety: Society, the internet and me. | Expression: Expressing my views in a democratic society. |
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Pupils learn ways of staying safe online. They consider the benefits of the online world, as well as the risks. How it aids global communication is addressed, as well as how it might impact our personal relationships. Key characteristics: Responsibility, Adaptability, Curiosity |
The importance of democracy and the role of government in British society are explored. Pupils will learn about how government is formed and the definition of democracy. They will discuss how they can best express themselves and get their voices heard. Key characteristics: Honesty, Courage, Responsibility |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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| Expression: Radical Views, the media and mindfulness. | Relationships and Sex Education |
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Pupils will learn to recognise an extreme/ radical view. They will understand how extreme views can create divisions in community and could lead to violence. Pupils will understand how to report a view that they are concerned by. Pupils will be introduced to protected characteristics. Key characteristics: Honesty, Courage, Empathy |
Pupils build on their work in science and learn the physical and emotional changes during puberty. They explore how these changes might make them feel. They discuss the potential sexual feelings that may occur. Key characteristics: Honesty, Courage, Empathy |
Year 8 - Values and Character Programme
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| Self-discipline, role modelling and intrinsic motivation |
What does happiness mean? |
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Pupils understand the difference between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. They reflect on role modelling for the younger pupils and the responsibility that comes with this. Possible links to careers and other life choices. Key Characteristics: Responsibility, curiosity |
Pupils will look at what it means to be happy. How happiness can be measured. The importance of feeling in control of our lives and our emotions. Pupils will look at mindfulness. Pupils consider the ways in which they look after themselves and the impact that has on their overall happiness. Key Characteristics: Reflectiveness, adaptability |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| Community: First Give | Community: First Give |
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Pupils will examine the issues that affect their community and beyond. They will consider the meaning of charity and altruism. They will understand how the welfare state aims to support people and how this is different around the world. Some understanding develops about the relationship between charity and responsibility. Key Characteristics: Altruism, curiosity, empathy |
Pupils will plan and deliver an altruistic project in their local community. Key Characteristics: Altruism, curiosity, empathy |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Healthy Relationships | Education: Where will mine take me? |
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Pupils continue to look at healthy relationships. Pupils are guided to discuss the benefits of positive/ supportive relationships and how to recognise negative ones. They also cover local health services, sexting and consent and the laws around this. Key Characteristics: Responsibility, Empathy |
Pupils look at their future aspirations and how they might achieve them. They make the link between school and careers. They are made aware of their options in terms of the future. They are working towards their raising aspirations trip at the end of the year and their ARD. Key Characteristics: Reflectiveness, adaptability, curiosity |
Year 9 - Values and Character Programme
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| Identity and growing up | Changing Relationships |
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Pupils look at their identity in relation to stereotypes. They discuss ideas of femininity and masculinity. They consider the benefits of feeling like they belong and the importance of being recognised as an individual. Pupils will consider how their identity has and may alter as they grow up. Key characteristics: Responsibility, empathy and adaptability |
Pupils consider how their relationships have and will alter. Pupils consider the emotional repercussions of these changing relationships (friendship and romantic). They will reflect on the possibility of rejection and heartbreak. Pupils will also start to cover contraception methods and sexual health. Key characteristics: Responsibility, empathy and honesty |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
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| Financial Security | Financial Security |
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Pupils are introduced to the idea of a monthly budget, with knowledge of what potential outgoings could be. They will connect income tax to government spending. They will begin to have hinge points for key items. Key characteristics: Responsibility, Adaptability |
Pupils learn about national debt and the reasons and impact that has. Examples of borrowing for individuals are introduced. Pupils are encouraged to understand the different types of borrowing and the reasons behind the choices people make. The emotional impact of financial security is discussed. Key characteristics: Responsibility, reflectiveness |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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| Conflict | Education: Shaping the future |
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Pupils learn about the importance of communication and debate in resolving conflict. They learn about examples of conflict (within UK, between countries) and how leaders seek resolution (parliament, UN etc.). They reflect on how this might support their own attempts to resolve conflict in their lives. Key characteristics: Courage, Altruism |
Pupils look ahead to the world in which they will be adults. They will discuss what it means to be a global citizen. They will consider potential technological advances and how they might impact their personal and working lives. They will discuss how best to prepare themselves for these potential changes now. Key characteristics: Curiosity, Tenacity |
Year 10 - Values and Character Programme
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
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| Self Knowledge | Tackling extreme views |
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Pupils look at different situations in which they may adapt their characters. Pupils look at the factors which impact their character. Pupils reflect on how their character has changed and whether or not this is important. Pupils look at a case study of how an individual adapts their character for work. Pupils reflect on how they will need to adapt their character. Key characteristics: Adaptability, honesty. |
Pupils review the definition of extreme views. Pupils look at case studies of extreme views around the world and draw out common characteristics. Pupils will reflect on our government’s role in tackling extreme views. Pupils will finish by looking at community responses to extreme views in domestic politics Key characteristics: Curiosity, Responsibility |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
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| Relationships | Next Steps in Education |
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Pupils review prior knowledge on happy and healthy relationships. Pupils will then go on to look at how identity can be shaped by relationships and vice versa. Pupils will look at examples. Pupils will return to sex education and discuss how sexual activity can become part of your identity. Key characteristics: Responsibility, Courage |
Pupils discuss and identify the differences between KS3 and KS4 education. Pupils backwards map their journey to KS4. Pupils will then look at post 16 options and present back on their findings. Key characteristics: Adaptability, honesty |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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| Health & Happiness | Leadership |
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Pupils review CBT. Pupils will then analyse and discuss current mental health issues. Pupils will look at who is/who should take responsibility for mental health and how we can best support our communities to prioritise mental wellbeing. Pupils will finish with an analysis of what physical wellbeing is. Key characteristics: Empathy, Altruism, Responsibility. |
Pupils look at case studies of leaders in different fields. Pupils identify common personality/character traits of leaders in various fields. Pupils question whether personality traits make more or less effective leaders. Pupils will go on to examine their own leadership opportunities in school and the community, reflecting on adapting character to meet needs of situations. |