Values

Background

Values are our beliefs and the things we stand for. They are the principles that are important to us, and they give purpose and direction to our lives and our work. Values are at the heart of the way we behave in different situations.

‘Teachers, parents and students need answers to questions such as these: What is this school about? What is important here? What do we believe in? Why do we function the way we do? How are we unique? How do I and others fit into the scheme of things?’

‘The best indicator of a good school may well be the extent to which its image reflects the needs and desires of its parents, teachers, and students.’

(Quotations from TJ Sergiovanni quoted in Effective Educational Leadership, Bennet, Crawford, Cartwright, Open University, 2003)

Consultation

Last session Doon Academy began the process of identifying the values which should be at the core of all its work.
Pupils, parents and staff were asked what values should be important to the school.

They were asked to consider this question: -

Which values do you believe should be at the heart of the way that the community of Doon Academy conducts its business?

Workshops on values were carried out with staff, pupils and the parent council during the second half of last session. Parents who attended parents' nights were also consulted.  The staff and pupil discussions led to the prioritisation of responses. Parents' responses were made by couples or individuals.

These identified the values which were important to all the groups. After more discussion, the values were reduced to the final selection which appear on the values poster produced above.

 

Values Consultation Results
	Pupils/Staff	Parents
Ambition	3
Attainment and Achievement	5	26
Compassion	1	11
Cooperation/Teamwork	10
Community	6
Commitment	10	20
Health & Well-being	2
Inclusion	5	19
Integrity	5	10
Justice	1	12
Modesty	1
Opportunity	1
Respect	7	24
Self-belief/Confidence	4
Trust	3
World-awareness/Vision	2