MISSION STATEMENT

We are driven by our core values and offer the best possible education to improve life chances. Everyone can develop a lifelong passion for learning in a safe and supportive community, whilst celebrating individuality and diversity.  

 

OUR VALUES

Term 1 - Resilience

Term 2 - Kindness

Term 3 - Integrity

Term 4 - Respect 

Term 5 - Personal responsibility

Term 6 - Gratitude

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CHARACTER EDUCATION
At Balfour Juniors, we believe that the experiences provided for children in their primary years has a significant impact on their future wellbeing and success.

It is for this reason, we have made a whole school commitment to the teaching and development of character traits, values and behaviours which underpin achievement and success; striving to ensure that developing ‘character’ goes hand in hand with high educational aspirations and achievement. 

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Caught, taught and sought

Character can be caught through a strong school community of positive relationships and clearly defined values.

We provide:

• A safe physical environment, which promotes a sense of belonging

• A supportive and inspiring learning culture, which  strikes a balance between academic progress and character development

• A positive spiritual, moral, social, and cultural environment, which encourages staff and pupils to develop their character alongside their personal beliefs and world views

 

Character education can be taught through the curriculum using teaching and learning strategies, activities, and resources.

We teach character through:

• Assemblies that bring the whole school community together to explore character and values through a shared language

• Personal, Social and Health education (PSHE) using a topic-based approach to teach character and values

• Religious Education, using personal beliefs and world views to explore character and values

• Identifying opportunities to include character and values within the curriculum, making links with topics or subjects as appropriate

 

Character can be sought through chosen experiences that occur within and outside of the formal curriculum.

We provide experiences during and outside the school day that broaden pupils’ passions and interests:

• Opportunities for pupil leadership

• Extra-curricular activities

• Organised school events that allow pupils to demonstrate their character

• Trips that provide challenging experiences in new environments

• A range of inspirational speakers to motivate pupils’ character development

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BRITISH VALUES 

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British values  are defined as ‘democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs’.

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At Balfour, British values are promoted in so much of what we do, not least during our school assemblies and Religious Education in a whole-school approach. The values taught in these sessions are integral to our school ethos and they complement British values.

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As well as actively promoting British values, the opposite also applies: we would actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British values, including ‘extremist’ views.

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OUTDOOR PLAY AND LEARNING (OPAL)

At Balfour Juniors we believe in the importance of good quality play, as it helps children to think creatively and interact socially. Research shows that play contributes to children’s physical and emotional health, wellbeing,
approach to learning and enjoyment of school.

 

We have implemented the OPAL programme at our school, and are delighted to have been

accredited with the Gold Standard Quality Mark!

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For more information about the OPAL Programme, please visit Home - Outdoor Play and Learning

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