The Mission of a School

The mission of a school is based upon what the school intends to achieve in a more physical and academic way as set out by the head teacher. For example “ To create a happy, secure and stimulating learning environment in which all members of the school community can grow in confidence and develop their full potential.” This is often a motto or a slogan as you enter a school. You will find this on the school infonet, on the school web page, letter heads will include the school motto and around the school grounds, reception etc. Sometimes the school motto or slogan can be seen within the logo on school clothing and inside reading records or homework books.

The Ethos of a school is related to the beliefs and feelings of a school. The Ethos of the school should be recognisable when entering the school environment as it is part of the nature and daily practice of the staff and pupils who work there. The ethos is set out so the whole school can be aware of it and is reinforced through daily activities. It could be enforcing children’s safety, dressing smartly in school uniform, working hard and being encouraged to take the lead. The ethos may be used again as a motto, slogan or something everyone says together in morning assembly.

The aims of a school are set out by the head teacher working in partnership with the parents, staff and the community. This should provide all members of the school community with a safe and well-respected environment which is really important when trying to obtain a successful learning environment. The aims set out in many schools for children are to increase each pupils understanding of the world around them and to provide each pupil with the appropriate balance of challenge and support when learning, to provide the spiritual, the moral, intellectual and physical development of the students regardless of their disability, gender, race or ethnic background. Schools are the place we send our children to not only learn about spelling and maths, but also about life. About the importance of equality, safety and respect. The aims of a school can normally be found in the school reception, mounted on the walls around school, on the schools website and in prospectus guides.

Many schools here reflect the British values. Promoting these ‘British Values’ through spiritual, social, moral and cultural education which then permeates through the school’s curriculum and supports the development of the student as a whole. The British values are the rule of law, they are democracy, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and different beliefs and for those without faith. The way in which values are communicated in school is by encouragement to all staff and students to embrace and contribute to a healthy school community. These values will also be found on the schools web page, their prospectus and possibly mounted in the school to remind students and staff of the importance of the schools values and what’s expected of them.

The way schools communicate their mission statements, aims, values and ethos is very much the same. Using mounted plaques, posters in the reception area or around school for example in the school assembly hall for everyone to see. Using the web page to share this information so that parents and external professionals and other people can also see the mission, aims, values and ethos. Using school clothing, books, P.E bags, logos etc. to display mottos etc. These are all great ways of getting the message out there. Using effective communication, reinforcing the schools values and ethos by speaking about how important it is. Verbally telling students and staff what is expected of them and what the school really believes in. Sharing this information with everyone, verbally, visually, online, in school, on clothing. It all promotes the schools mission, aims, values and ethos.