Ethos

Markyate Village School and Nursery aims to provide a warm and caring environment where every child matters and the social, emotional and personal development of our children is a priority. We believe that children achieve the most when they are happy and secure. At the heart of our ethos is a passion for learning and a commitment to motivate, challenge and equip all learners with the skills and attitudes that they need for life in a rapidly changing world. We have the highest expectations for all our pupils. We aim to enable all pupils to reach their potential and become independent, self motivated learners. We believe in working in partnership with our parents and children to achieve this.

By the end of their time at Markyate Village School and Nursery we aim for all our pupils to leave us with the academic skills appropriate for their age and ability. We also hope they will leave with the self-belief, confidence and resilience to move on to their secondary schools and into the wider world successfully. As part of this every class includes the British Values of democracy, mutual respect and tolerance, rule of law and individual liberty through PSHE, cross-curriculur teaching, RE, check in and out circles, inclusive learning environments and our Golden Rules. This is also covered in school as a whole as we set rules and values with the children, vote for team captains, school councillors and eco warriors, learn through our assemblies and give opportunities for pupil voice to be heard and acted upon.

Each class has a key word that underpins their attitudes to learning:

Nursery – Happiness

Reception – Friendship

Year 1 – Determination

Year 2 – Co-operation

Year 3 – Responsibility

Year 4 – Independence

Year 5 – Perseverance

Year 6 – Successful Achievers

The children work towards three targets within their class and on receiving their third certificate they are awarded their class pin.

There is also a gold school pin awarded to children who show a true understanding of all it means to be a pupil at Markyate Village School and Nursery or who have shown particular ambassadorship.