Monday 29 October 2012

What are the ethical beliefs and values in my organisation - 5B

Once having researched the ethics which drive my own organisations structure, I have discovered alot about my place of work (and own teaching habits) which I must admit I previously knew and thought little about.

Instructions have been given to me in order to conduct my lessons following health and safety and ethical policies. For example, I must inform my students of their target levels and ensure that my lessons are planned inclusive of every student and their indidivual learning needs, in order to give them the greatest opportunities to continually improve their own working at grades.

"We aim to work in an environment in which every Learner:
  • has access to timely, meaningful Assessment information;
  • knows their targets and current assessments;
  • knows how to improve: - as member of the Hundred of Hoo team,
    • in their personal Academic performance,
    • their contribution to society through fair play,
    • in their effort,
    • as a leader;
  • regularly reviews and improves their own learning and achievements;
  • acts on advice;
  • has success rewarded. "
(http://www.hooschool.co.uk/pupilprogress)

I must also ensure a safe and positive learning environment. I now recognise how this relates to policies within my organisation, such as the "Every Child Matters" government policy of 2002 in which all students must be kept safe.

"It is the central goal of Every Child Matters to ensure every pupil is given the chance to be able to work towards the goals referenced within it. Most of the legislation passed and guidance applies to England and Wales and all maintained schools have implemented the policy; it has also been influential in the rest of the UK and in some independent schools." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Every_Child_Matters)

My organisation follow the SMSC policy for children to feel socially, morally and emotionally safe. As a member of staff I have been directed to follow these policies as outlined in the "Staff Handbook". The School belief is that there is No celing to indidivual achievement. Encouraging students and staff to continue to develop and excel. Which has been reflected in their Assessment for Learning policy (AFL).

"Assessment for Learning is internationally recognised as having a positive impact on learning outcomes. As its heart is the philosophy that "no child is left behind" which links exceptionally closely to the "Every Child Matters" policy.
At Hundred of Hoo School we make the link between these two major initiatives and "Every Parent Matters" to ensure that the School, Learners and Families are equal Partners in ensuring that Learners achieve academically, as team members, in fair play, effort and leadership.
We recognise:
  • the crucial role that timely, meaningful Assessment can make to the learning of Learners and the improvement in Teaching and Learning;
  • that Parents, the Hoo Staff and Learners are equal partners in the use of assessment to improve Teaching, Learning and Achievement;
  • that assessment informs teaching and learning and that it is an integral part of this process;
  • that the learning takes place when the planned teaching is appropriate to the needs of the Learner;
  • assessment informs planning;
  • effective assessment provides feedback to Staff, Learners and Parents about progress and achievement, and helps to ensure continuity and progress across Hundred of Hoo School. (http://www.hooschool.co.uk/pupilprogress)

This year our annual staff appriasals also reflect pupil progress. Our individual appraisals came with an Action plan negoiated by our line manager. For example I am to attend teacher training courses, observe other colleauges good practise and achieve outstanding in my own formal lesson observations (which I have achieved twice this term :)
These appraisals are pay related and I beleive that this new format will promote the Continual Professioanl development (CPD) of all staff within my organisation. This will then ensure that good teaching practise is maintained throughout the school, in line with the codes of practise and ethic values of our professional community. By committing to the good quality of teaching, my organisation are striving to continue to develop the well-being, learning and progress of every of its pupils.

My place of work also created a new Behaviour For Learning Policy (BFL) giving clear instructions on how to deal with students who are un-willing to co-operate. By following the BFL policy I am ensuring the welfare of every student as well safe-gaurding myself the school's reputation. This policy favours a positive approach to behaviour issues, outlining methods to use for praise and rewards, having introduced a new system this term for awarding house points for students good work.

 
"Term 1 has seen major changes to the house system at the Hundred of Hoo Academy with the introduction of 4 Heads of Houses. Our vision is that every student within the academy will have the opportunity to become involved in activities where they compete against other houses. It is our belief that an effective house system will encourage competition, increase student engagement and attendance and allow students to have a voice in a system that will lead to whole school improvement. I hope that your son/daughter will participate fully in all activities available and will enter into the house spirit that we aim to foster within the academy."
(http://www.hooschool.co.uk/Mainfolder/Newsletter-Autumn-2012.pdf page 5)

4 comments:

  1. Gemma very thorough - might use government source for policy next time - really good use of policy and practice. You are clear, the teaching staff are clear - how does this compare with other schools? Is yours a good example?

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  2. Hi Paula, I will endeavour to look into policies from other shools . I predict ours will be good in comparison as the new head teacher has recently made many improvements in order to raise the standards after an un-satisfactory ofsted report three years ago.I will also look at government sources and come back to this topic.

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  3. Education in England is overseen by the Department for Education. Ethics and morals are expected to be an important influence on individual school policies created by head teachers.

    "Principals should assist Ethics Coordinators and Ethics Teachers to become familiar with the procedures and operations of the school. They should also provide them with a list of names of students in special education in ethics classes, and information about any special needs of students attending these classes". http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/policies/ethics/index.htm

    I have found that all schools have their own unique ethos. Similarly to my organisation, these policies promote values and beliefs for the development of their students. Two other lsecondary school's locally, one an Academy and another a Grammar, also emphasis the importance of student care and well-being and also have policies in place to support giving them the greatest opportunities to improve.

    "We are proud of our reputation as a ‘caring school’. We firmly believe that students learn most effectively when they feel safe, happy and settled. We invest a lot of time and effort into our pastoral support system so that the students who are experiencing difficulties can be identified early and supported appropriately. All students are monitored and supported by a Form Tutor, Head of Year and an Assistant Headteacher". http://www.chathamgirlsgrammar.medway.sch.uk/content/about-us

    "The Leigh is committed to helping each individual achieve more than she / he thought was possible. Some key features of our unique brand of learning include:
    •4 College structure – small schools model
    •Vertical Tutoring – students from Years 7 to Post 16 meet each day as a tutor group
    •Personal Tutoring and the development of each student’s emotional intelligence
    •Two year Key Stage 3
    •Strong Vocational Curriculum offered by every Learning Area
    •Strong community, national and international partnerships
    •Large group teaching
    •Innovative use of ICT
    http://www.leighacademy.org.uk/about-our-academy.php

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  4. It is very helpful when policies are to hand in an organisation - there is an entity in literature called a 'learning orgnisation' - it is one that collectively learns from experience. So you think your school has these attributes?

    examples form a quick google -

    http://www.infed.org/thinkers/senge.htm

    http://www.northyorks.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=13127&p=0

    http://www.sedl.org/change/issues/issues41.html

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