ASPIRE - Our learning values

Rationale

We recognise that the world our children will meet in the future is competitive, ever changing and challenging. They will need to be equipped with the Core Learning Values that will enable them to adapt, develop and succeed in any circumstances, giving them the best possible chances to reap the opportunities that are available.

The following information is at the heart of all the work that is undertaken in our

school. It is generic and therefore not subject specific. It provides a dynamic thread to our school ethos. Our Core Learning Values give direction to our school and help us create an effective, well-managed learning environment and culture that meets the needs of all pupils.

Our vision

At Shakespeare Junior School everyone is committed to exceptional achievement through inspirational education.

Our aim

For all Shakespeare Junior School children to be actively engaged in learning, applying skills and knowledge to ensure exceptional achievement and helping them to be fully prepared for future learning and the highly competitive world beyond..

Our success

Children who are clearly developing our Core Learning Values. They ASPIRE and are:

• Active
• Strategic
• Persevering
• Innovative
• Responsible
• Empathetic

….and are developing a strong sense of pride in their high standards of work and

outstanding achievements.

To be ACTIVE means:

• active learners,
• active participators,
• active bodies.

By:

• Participating positively in the learning opportunities provided.
• Actively learning from others by listening, watching and trying.
• Responding to targets, marking and suggestions for improvement.
• Asking questions frequently.
• Developing the ability to respectfully challenge.
• Evaluating honestly your progress and develop your own suggestions for improvement.
• Getting involved in a new aspect of school life each year.
• Sharing with others your experiences of participation.
• Participating in at least one active event per week.
• Trying to make this a part of everyday thinking.

To be STRATEGIC means:

• planning ahead in a wider context,
• recognising and staying focused on priorities,
• identifying contingency opportunities.

By:

• Thinking increasingly about the consequences of actions and decisions.
• Thinking and planning on increasing time scales.
• Using timetables, calendars and other organisational aids regularly.
• Planning ways to meet deadlines including homework.
• Explaining to others your priorities and targets.
• Exploring scenarios in discussion, role play and other collaborative work.
• Trying to make this a part of everyday thinking.

To be PERSEVERING means:

• maintaining effort,
• tackling problems,
• having a positive approach.

By:

• Trying a bit longer when you’re about to give up.
• Reaching expected outcomes in a task.
• Giving up own time voluntarily to reach important outcomes.
• Fully engaging in tasks over an increasing period of time.
• Trying to extend your learning beyond an expected outcome.
• Improving draft pieces of work.
• Responding positively to advice on how to improve.
• Accepting and learning from your mistakes.
• Learning to begin with a ‘can do’ attitude before considering difficulties.
• Trying to make this a part of everyday thinking.

To be INNOVATIVE means:

• enterprising and adding value,
• creative problem solving.

By:

• Finding appropriate times to be competitive.
• Listening to, researching and thinking about ideas from others that have led to
• successes.
• Using previous experiences to help develop new ideas.
• Finishing off work to a high standard.
• Trying to do something unique every week.
• Trying out more than one way to solve a problem.
• Collaborating and working positively to find best possibilities (including work
• with the TASC wheel).
• Evaluating and thinking honestly about how things could be better.
• Trying to make this a part of everyday thinking.

To be RESPONSIBLE means:

• helping others,
• being accountable,
• developing independence.

By:

• Actively seeking roles of responsibility in school.
• Carrying out accepted responsibilities to the best of your ability.
• Giving increasing amounts of your own time to help others.
• Accepting accountability for decisions you have made and learn
• how consequences are related to these.
• Seeking to amend negative consequences of your decisions.
• Sharing the responsibility for your learning, developing independence.
• Increasingly managing your own routines.
• Trying to make this a part of everyday thinking.

To be EMPATHETIC means:

• learning about artists, writers, composers and other thinkers,
• valuing the opinions, views and beliefs of others,
• exploring feelings.

By:

• Recognising, accepting, and when appropriate celebrating differences
• between people.
• Increasingly recognising others’ emotions and trying to respond in a
• helpful way.
• Listening to others carefully and responding appropriately.
• Openly valuing the ideas of other people.
• Reflecting on their own skills when interacting with others.
• Offering support and care to those in need.
• Joining in celebrations of positive effort, regardless of outcome.
• Trying to make this a part of everyday thinking.

Celebrating ‘ASPIRE’ Success

The Core Learning Values are appropriately differentiated for each year group to ensure that success in each year group is appropriate to their age.

Each class teacher has a chart displayed in the classroom with the requirements and the names of the pupils. As pupils achieve the values they are ticked off.

Once all the Core Learning Values have been met for that year, the pupils receive a certificate and their ASPIRE badge.

The levels for ASPIRE are as follows;

Year 3 – Foundation Award

Year 4 – Intermediate Award

Year 5 – Higher Award

Year 6 – Full (Transition) Award

Each level of the award is started from the beginning of September each year. For example, if a pupil doesn’t achieve their ASPIRE award in Year 3, they are still able to work towards the Year 4 values and achieve success the next year.

How can parents help at home?

Using the Language

We use the language of ASPIRE all the time at school. By using the same language at home the pupils will see how important it is to demonstrate all of the values throughout every aspect of their lives.

Tell Us About Achievements at Home

Please tell your class teacher if your child has demonstrated one of the learning values at home. This could be through a club, homework task, create activities at home, care role…… These achievements will count towards their ASPIRE award.

Celebrate their Success!

Achieving the ASPIRE award is a significant and important achievement. It takes effort, determination and a real moral purpose. All pupils who achieve the ASPIRE award are included on the ‘Hall of Fame’ on our School ASPIRE Display.