Values Based Education

Our Values-Based Education (VBE) Approach

At our school, we believe education is about so much more than just academia. Children learn best when they feel happy, safe, and confident—and when they understand the kind of people they want to become. Our Values-Based Education (VBE) approach helps us make this happen every day.

Why We Chose Values-Based Education

We chose VBE because we want our children to grow not only academically, but also as kind, confident and responsible young people. Values help us create a school where everyone feels supported and included, and where children learn how to make positive choices.

Here’s why VBE is such a good fit for us:

• It supports the whole child
  Children learn skills for life, how to manage feelings, build relationships, and work with others.
• It strengthens our school culture
  Shared values give us a common language. This helps create a calm, welcoming and respectful atmosphere.
• It guides behaviour in a meaningful way
  Instead of just rules, we talk about why our actions matter and how values shape the choices we make.
• It builds lifelong skills
  Values like empathy, resilience and responsibility help children now and in their future lives.
• It connects school and home
  Families can easily talk about and model the same values we’re exploring at school.
• It supports positive role modelling
  Staff use our Values Vocabulary to bring values into everyday conversations and decisions.

Our Core Values Throughout the Year

Each value is given the time and focus it deserves so children can understand it, talk about it, and practise it in daily life.

How We Teach and Explore Values

V-Time

V-Time is a short, regular pause in the day—our “classroom heartbeat.” It helps children stop, think, and connect with the value we’re focusing on.

V-TIME stands for:
Values Thinking Investigation Making Evaluating

Children reflect, discuss, and explore what the value means and how they can use it throughout the day.

Values Lessons

Every Values lesson encourages oracy, discussion and debate. Children respond through written work, art, drama or practical activities, and each class keeps a floor book to capture their thinking.

Lessons might include:

• Sharing a story linked to the value
• Talking about how we can show the value in school
• Making links to British Values
• Exploring real-life issues or current events

These lessons help children see how values connect to the world around them.

Values Assemblies

Twice a week, the whole school comes together to focus on our value of the moment. Assemblies give us a chance to:

• Introduce and explore what the value means
• Hear stories or examples that bring the value to life
• Think about how we can show the value at school and at home
• Celebrate children and adults who have been living the value

It’s a positive, uplifting way to keep our values at the heart of school life.

How We Celebrate Values

Celebration is an important part of our VBE approach. When children see that positive actions are recognised, they feel encouraged to keep making good choices.

Certificates

Each week, teachers choose children who have shown the focus value in a thoughtful or exceptional way. These children receive a Values Certificate during assembly so the whole school can celebrate their contribution.

Class Dojo

Staff award Dojo points when children show our values in action—whether that’s helping a friend, showing resilience, or being a respectful teammate. Families can see these moments on the Class Dojo app, helping to strengthen the link between school and home.

A School Built on Values

Our VBE approach helps us create a kind, calm and purposeful school where children feel proud of who they are and who they’re becoming. By learning and living our values together, we are building a community where everyone can flourish.