Our Vision Statement

At The Howard School, we aspire for all our students to gain the academic results and personal skills to make a positive contribution to society, both now and in the future.

Our core belief is:

The values that underpin the culture we strive to create are: 

Be Hardworking 

Mistakes are learning opportunities. We never give up on our learning because, when we work hard, we achieve amazing results.  Our Motto is ‘Give 100%, 100% of the time’.

Be Good  

We behave with honesty and integrity even when people are not watching us. 

Be Kind

We are inclusive and treat others, in our diverse community, as we wish to be treated. 
 

These values are interwoven through each of the four key areas that we use to ensure our core belief is delivered:

Attributes

 The Attributes we develop in all our students are:

• Leadership
• Organisation
• Resilience
• Initiative
• Communication

Rights Respecting School

The Howard School is proud to have achieved the Rights Respecting Schools Award at Gold Level, the only secondary school in Kent and Medway to gain this prestigious award, and one of only a handful of schools in Britain that have been reaccredited at this highest level. Gold: Rights Respecting is the highest level of the Award and is granted to schools that have fully embedded the principles of the Convention into their ethos and curriculum. We are proud to have maintained Gold standard and the implications of this for the wider community as we educate the next generation about rights and their importance.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is based on an analysis of what children need in order to thrive. These needs can be grouped into four categories:

• to survive as a fit and healthy person
• to be protected from harm and abuse
• to develop physically, mentally and socially
• to participate as an active citizen

UNICEF UK believes that the principles and values of the CRC should be embedded in the ethos and curriculum of every school. It is not a one off lesson but integrated into the heart of the school, in our policies, procedures and practises. This is the purpose of the Rights Respecting School Award.

UNICEF UK’s Rights Respecting School Award (RRSA) provides a framework to help schools to use CRC as the basis for their ethos. In a rights respecting school, children learn about their rights and the responsibilities that are implied. By promoting the values of respect, dignity and non-discrimination, children’s self-esteem and wellbeing is boosted and they are less likely to suffer from stress. A child who understands their rights understands how they and others should be treated and their sense of self-worth is strengthened.

The Rights Respecting Schools Award gives children a powerful language to use to express themselves and to challenge the way they are treated. They are also able to challenge injustices for other children. Students are empowered to access information that enables them to make informed decisions about their learning, health and wellbeing. This builds their confidence to make informed decisions.

In addition, students have a moral framework, based on equality and respect for all that lasts a lifetime, as they grow into engaged, responsible members of society. Rights and principles of the Convention are used to put moral situations into perspective and consider rights-respecting solutions – this all has a huge impact on relationships and well-being. 

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Working together to build a community of successful learners

Core Values: Inclusivity, dignity, respect & ambition

Learning and growth are at the heart of The Howard Academy Trust ethos. We strongly advocate that all members of our community have the opportunity to become the very best that they can be. We recognise and value the unique talents and expertise within our community and aim to create a culture of dignity, inclusivity, respect and ambition, where all can thrive.

This is achieved through:

		Excellent teaching and learning that celebrates diversity whilst promoting inclusivity;
		Regular opportunities for collaborative high quality CPD to ensure best practice across academies;
		A proactive network for joint working across academies, for staff at various career stages;
		The highest standards of behaviour and conduct achieved through clear expectations and positive relationships;
		The unique character of each academy is valued and contributes to the THAT whole Trust ethos;
		Shared whole trust values of dignity, respect and ambition.
		High aspirations for all involved with the Trust;
		Each academy is a hub for its local community and families;
		Facing outwards and working in collaboration with other organisations and stakeholders;
		A centralised team that allows academy leaders to focus on their core purpose of education.

Promoting Fundamental British Values