How does Values-based Education benefit both pupils and teachers?
Hilden Oaks is one of only three schools in Kent to be awarded the International Values Education Trust (IVET), Values Quality Mark. This is in recognition of the school’s implementation and use of Values-based Education (VbE).
Values-based Education is an approach to education that creates an inspirational learning environment and enhances pupils’ academic attainment. It inspires children to adopt and demonstrate positive human values such as respect, kindness and honesty, supporting the development of strong social and interpersonal skills. This in turn nurtures a greater appreciation of and respect for the feelings of others and increases self-confidence. The focus on ethical and emotional intelligence, deepened relationships, social cohesion and a strong values-culture, gives pupils the best chance of academic success.
Kindness
Since it was introduced at Hilden Oaks in 2015, Values-based Education has created an enhanced learning environment for this exceptional school – which was rated as “Excellent” and “Outstanding” in all areas by the ISI Inspectorate in December 2017.
Headmistress, Mrs Katy Joiner said,
“I introduced Values-based Education to Hilden Oaks when I became Headmistress in 2015. I believe that this has helped to develop a school culture where all members of the school community feel respected and valued and therefore want to extend that same respect to each other. This creates a secure foundation for pupils to challenge themselves and to take responsibility for their own learning. It also provides a common vocabulary for pupils and staff alike to express their thoughts and emotions in a way that encourages true emotional intelligence.”
Empathy
The school has adopted a suite of twenty-two values, selected by pupils, parents and staff. The meaning of each value is explored during assemblies by giving the children the opportunity to act out value-related stories and to contribute to their class assemblies. Children are rewarded with wooden acorns for demonstrating the desired values and parents may also nominate their own children and friends of their children for oak leaf awards for continuing to show values at home. These values are integral to everyday life at Hilden Oaks, supporting social interaction and creating an enhanced learning environment for both pupils and staff.
Sharing
In recommending that the school be awarded the VbE Quality Mark, the inspector noted,
“Spiritual, moral, social and cultural education flows through the school. The links between values and social/emotional behaviour are extremely strong and the maturity the children have in linking these areas to their academic learning is impressive. The overall atmosphere of this highly achieving, successful school is one of nurturing and care for the whole school community.”