Lumiar

Our Values

We spent time together reflecting on what makes our little school so special. We came up with five words that we think encapsulates the unique way that we approach life and learning. We worked together on art projects to put each of our five values up in our school as a colorful daily reminder of what we agreed.

A PLACE OF WONDER

Joy

We keep the spark of learning alive through our positive and playful approach. We follow our passions and interests, creating a happy and safe environment that allows us to flourish and share our joy with others. We appreciate the awe in the world around us.

A PLACE OF CONNECTION

Unity

We work together to build strong relationships and an inclusive community where everyone is heard. We partner with individual professionals and businesses to give children access to real-life experiences and expertise.

A PLACE OF CONSIDERATION

Respect

We build a culture of truth, honesty and respect by listening to each other and valuing every voice. We see ourselves as part of a community and act with compassion and kindness. We use the wisdom we find in failure to grow together, learning from mistakes.

A PLACE OF DISCOVERY

Exploration

We chase adventures and see learning as a journey to discover who we are and what we could be. We express our creativity and enrich our imagination, while learning to be adaptable and curious. We use our freedom to try new things, ask questions and debate big issues.

A PLACE OF LEADERSHIP

Responsibility

We see each individual's true potential and believe we are the authors of our own lives. We encourage risk taking, courageous thinking and nurture an entrepreneurial spirit. We realize that we have a voice now and can contribute towards safeguarding our planet for the future.

What We Want

We want everyone of our students to be able to say...

I'm a Leader: I am the leader of me, and I know that I can have a positive impact on other people and the wider world. At the heart of every global threat is a failure of leadership. We believe that everyone is a leader and we need to nurture and develop each learner’s leadership skills to help them make a positive impact on the world. We focus on leading ourselves well for the benefit of others.
I'm Creative: I have time to explore, to use my imagination. I dare to be different. Whether through music, art or drama, I celebrate self-expression! We invite Masters in art, drama and music into the school on a regular basis to provide the learners with expert tuition in the expressive arts, and our oldest children have the opportunity to participate in the Arts Award. We also cultivate a culture of oracy – where the children are regularly given opportunities to present to each other, to practice building arguments and persuading others. At the end of every school year, we put on a whole-school theatrical performance.
I'm Collaborative: I see the value of teamwork and recognize that different perspectives and ideas can enrich my thinking and create a better outcome. We show our learners the value and power of synergizing: collaborating; working as part of a team; co-creating projects. In this way, they see how their ideas can be made even more brilliant when they allow others to build on them. They also learn that everyone’s individual contribution can be so much more when put together as a whole.

I'm Resilient: I know a growth mindset helps me to stick with difficulty and to tolerate uncertainty. So I try to be brave and take risks, knowing that it might not always work but that I’ll usually learn something from it. We talk a lot about getting out of your comfort zone into a place where you are stretched and challenged – that’s where the magic happens and growth takes place. Mistakes are essential in learning and we believe in “failing forward” which is deliberately use failure to find success. We have created a culture of experimentation and teaching ‘stickability’ because we want our students to dare to try new things, and not be afraid of messing up, because this is how you build resilience.
I'm Empathic: I know that understanding and managing my emotions helps me to know myself better and interact with others more successfully. Our school culture is built around respectful communication. This creates a happy and safe environment, where kindness is visible, positive attitudes in behavior and learning can thrive. We want the children to become proficient at resolving conflicts in a kind and non-judgmental way and to learn positive communication and behavior habits that they can take into adult life. The children and the tutors participate in making the whole school student agreement that sets out the ‘rules’ that ensure the community works well for all. We then use this as a reminder of our commitment and promises to each other in the school community.
I'm Self-aware: I work hard to recognize my impact on others, understand and accept other people, and listen to their perspectives. I take ownership of my behavior. We actively encourage children to take responsibility for themselves and their actions, and to ask themselves ‘what is required of me right now?’. Our aim is to support each child in cultivating a sense of compassion, empathy, patience, understanding and respect for themselves as well as their community, and in developing openness to, and appreciation of, other views and identities.