Ethos and Values - Acre Heads Primary School

Acre Heads Ethos and Values

‘The Acre Way’

At Acre Heads, our ethos is shaped by The Acre Way — a shared commitment to upholding the values and beliefs that define our school community. It is more than just a concept; it’s a way of living, learning, and working together every day.

We believe children thrive in environments where values are lived, not just taught. That’s why the Acre Way is built on our four core values:
BELIEF, DETERMINATION, RESILIENCE, TEAMWORK

These are the foundations of lifelong learning and personal growth. Through these values, we nurture confident, reflective, and ambitious learners who are equipped to succeed both in school and beyond.

We also promote a growth mindset – the belief that with effort, positivity, determination and resilience, anything is possible. Our children are encouraged to see challenges as opportunities and mistakes as steps in the learning process.

Our school rules are simple, clear, and consistent:

1. Be kind

2. Do the right thing

3. Respect others

Rather than relying on a long list of rules, we focus on a shared understanding of positive behaviour, supported by strong relationships and clear values. These expectations apply to everyone – children, staff, families, and visitors – helping us create a culture of empathy, responsibility, and mutual care.

We recognise that children are still learning how to navigate the world. That’s why we actively teach strategies for emotional regulation, decision-making, and accountability, empowering pupils to take ownership of their actions.

In addition to our whole-school values, each class champions its own individual value, chosen to reflect a diverse range of positive character traits. These class values are meaningful, age-appropriate, and relevant to our wider community.

Children are encouraged to live out their class value, acting as ambassadors within school and beyond. These values help shape compassionate, respectful, and morally grounded individuals.

Our values are not confined to displays – they are woven through everything we do: the curriculum, assemblies, relationships, enrichment, and daily interactions. They are central to our approach to SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development) and underpin our character education programme.

Together, these values define The Acre Way, supporting our ambition to nurture respectful, resilient, and responsible young people who are ready to make a positive contribution to society.

Year Group	Class	Value
FS	Foundation Stage	Caring - We should be caring towards others.
Year 1	Sugarloaf	Family - We are all part of the Acre Heads family.
Year 1	Drewton	Honesty - We must have complete honesty at all times.
Year 2	Sandholme	Kindness - We must show kindness at all times.
Year 2	Barmby	Friendship - We must show friendship to others.
Year 3	Gowdall	Trust - People should be able to trust us.
Year 3	Carlton	Initiative - We can act independently.
Year 4	Smeaton	Respect - We must respect other people.
Year 4	Drax	Forgiveness - We must show and expect forgiveness.
Year 5	Upton	Enthusiasm - We must try to show enthusiasm in all we do.
Year 5	Hensall	Self-confidence - We will develop through encouraging each other.
Year 6	Cudworth	Perseverance - We must persevere and not give up.
Year 6	Hemsworth	Achievement - We must always strive for achievement.

Acre Heads is more than just a school – it’s a family. We care deeply for each other. Our relationships are built on trust, kindness, and encouragement, and this is felt throughout the school. The care shown by staff, the friendships between children, and the support we give to families all contribute to a harmonious, inclusive, and safe environment.

At Acre Heads, we want the best for every member of our community

the best care, the best education, and the best life chances.

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Acre Heads Ethos and Values

‘The Acre Way’

the best care, the best education, and the best life chances.

Learning in Action