Values and Ethos
The importance of values within school organisations
A vision gives a sense of direction; the compass by which we navigate the school.
The values of a school are what are used when you can’t see out of the ship. It is what you use when there is uncertainty in decision making.
We are a disparate organisation. Individuals in this organisation have high levels of discretion. Therefore, values help us act in a similar way. It is the glue which binds the school together.
Sergiovanni describes in Strengthening the Heartbeat how to make vision and values useful. He argues that that for values to be effective, more than "mother and apple pie" statements, they require commitment and a signing up to them. In the best schools they draw up a charter of commitment – a statements of things they will commit to. The values outlined below were committed to by the school on an INSET day on 24th October 2014.