Vision, Values and Aims

Eton Porny is a Voluntary Controlled Church of England First School in the heart of Eton Town. Our children come from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds, which we believe enriches our school community. In sympathy with ‘Valuing all God’s Children’ and ‘The Church of England’s Vision for Education’ we welcome all children, including those with different faiths and beliefs, and pride ourselves on being an inclusive school. We value each individual child, their uniqueness and the contribution that they make to our school as well as the wider community.

We have built a safe, caring, enjoyable and challenging learning environment for all of our children. The children are relishing being challenged in their learning, and this has added to the positive, learning atmosphere in the school.

Through our Pedagogy and Curriculum Policies, we make time to support each individual child, and their learning needs. We are able to support children, and parents, through our ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant), with the Home School Link Worker (HSLW) and through circle time, P.S.H.E sessions. Pupils are also encouraged to share and talk through their worries, concerns or achievements with their teacher or another member of the staff they feel able to talk to.

In our last SIAMS inspection, the inspector reported that:

“ The teamwork and shared sense of purpose amongst all members of the school community help to promote a strong sense of belonging to a Christian family “

“The support of the local church community has a positive impact on the effectiveness of collective worship and onthe personal and spiritual development of pupils”.

At Eton Porny we have three aims:

• To create a fun, positive, caring and respectful environment, promoting the joy of learning.
• To develop our pupils to the best of their ability, each with strong self-belief and all exceeding their potential.
• To develop our pupils’ confidence in themselves, promoting resilience in the face of challenge.

These aims are supported through our Christian School Values that were developed in consultation with Parents, Staff, Governors, and Children. The School Christian Values are strongly embedded at Eton Porny and these values are the focus of our weekly worship during whole school Collective Worship, taken by teachers, Chaplains from Eton College and Reverends from the Parish Church St John The Evangelist in Eton.

At Eton Porny Church of England First School, we actively promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. These values are embedded throughout school life and are closely linked to our Christian vision:

We are all created unique and special. He made us all perfect, having our own uniqueness. 1 Peter (4:10-11) "God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another."

Our vision and values of Responsibility, Respect, Resilience, Joy and Kindness help our children develop as confident, respectful and responsible citizens, preparing them for life in modern Britain. The Department for Education continues to identify democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs as fundamental British values that schools should promote. 

Democracy

We encourage pupils to understand that their voice matters and that they can contribute positively to their community. Children are given opportunities to share their views and influence decision-making through:

• House Captains and Vice House Captains
• Eco Squad

• Sports Leaders

• Pupil voice surveys and questionnaires

Pupils learn how democratic processes work through elections, discussions, debates and collaborative learning activities. They are encouraged to listen respectfully to others, express their own opinions and understand that people may hold different viewpoints.

The Rule of Law

Children learn the importance of rules and laws in creating a safe, fair and caring community. School expectations are clear and consistently applied, helping pupils understand that actions have consequences. Through our curriculum, collective worship and behaviour policy, pupils learn:

• why rules are important
• the difference between right and wrong
• how laws help protect individuals and communities
• the responsibilities that come with living in society

Visits from community services further strengthen pupils' understanding of the rule of law.

Individual Liberty

We provide a safe, supportive environment where children are encouraged to make choices and develop independence.

Pupils are taught to:

• make informed decisions
• take responsibility for their actions
• understand their rights and responsibilities
• keep themselves safe, including online

Children are encouraged to challenge themselves, pursue their interests and participate fully in school life through learning, clubs, leadership opportunities and wider enrichment experiences.

Mutual Respect

Respect is at the heart of our school community and is reflected in our Christian vision and values.

We teach children to value themselves and others, recognising that each person is unique and worthy of dignity and respect. Through collective worship, Religious Education, PSHE and everyday interactions, pupils learn to:

• work and play cooperatively
• celebrate one another's achievements
• resolve disagreements respectfully
• show kindness, empathy and consideration

Our inclusive ethos supports all children to feel valued, safe and able to flourish.

Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs

We help children develop an understanding of, and respect for, the diverse society in which they live.

Through Religious Education, collective worship, PSHE, visitors and educational visits, pupils learn about a range of faiths, beliefs and cultures. Children explore and celebrate a range of events throughout their time at Eton Porny.

We encourage pupils to appreciate similarities and differences between people and to understand that diversity enriches our communities. Children learn that discrimination, prejudice and stereotyping are unacceptable and that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity.

Living Our Values Every Day

The promotion of British values is not taught as a standalone subject. Instead, it is woven throughout our curriculum, collective worship, relationships and daily interactions. Through our Christian vision and school values of Responsibility, Respect, Resilience, Joy and Kindness, we aim to nurture children who are compassionate, thoughtful and prepared to make a positive contribution to society.

Our Religious Education curriculum is based around the SACRE syllabus using, Discovery RE and Understanding Christianity, enabling children to:

Learn about religion through;

• acquiring and developing knowledge and understanding of Christianity and other principal religions represented in Great Britain
• developing an understanding of the influence of beliefs, values and traditions on individuals, communities, societies and cultures.

Learn from religion by:

• developing a positive attitude towards other people, respecting their right to hold beliefs different from their own and towards living in a society of diverse religions
• developing the ability to make reasoned and informed judgements about religious and moral issues with reference to the teachings of the principal religions represented in Great Britain
• enhancing their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development by:
  • developing awareness of the fundamental questions of life raised by human experiences, and how religious teachings can relate to them
  • responding to such questions with reference to the teachings and practices of religions and to their understanding and experience
  • reflecting on their own beliefs, values and experiences in the light of their study.

The importance of Religious Education in school:

• RE provokes challenging questions about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, the self and the nature of reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human.
• RE develops pupils’ knowledge and understanding of Christianity, other principal religions, other religious traditions and other world views that offer answers to questions such as these.
• RE enhances pupils’ awareness and understanding of religions and beliefs, teachings, practices and forms of expression, as well as of the influence of religion on individuals, families, communities and cultures.
• RE offers opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual development.
• RE encourages pupils to learn from different religions, beliefs, values and traditions while exploring their own beliefs and questions of meaning.
• RE challenges pupils to reflect on, consider, analyse, interpret and evaluate issues of truth, belief, faith and ethics and to communicate their responses.
• RE encourages pupils to develop their sense of identity and belonging.
• RE enables pupils to flourish individually within their communities and as citizens in a pluralistic society and global community.
• RE has an important role in preparing pupils for adult life, employment and lifelong learning.
• RE enables pupils to develop respect for and sensitivity to others, in particular those whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own.
• RE promotes discernment and enables pupils to combat prejudice.

For more information on our RE curriculum click here

To view our latest SIAMS report from April 2019 please click here