Ethos
Grace Academy has a unique Christian ethos, based upon our five shared values of Grace, Respect, Integrity, Potential and Excellence. As part of the vision to develop citizens who make a difference, we help engage students and staff to outwork our values through participating in the work of a dedicated Ethos Team.
The Ethos Team includes a dedicated member of the academy leadership team, youth workers, and an RSE programme coordinator who work together with key staff to help students develop a sense of identity, make wise, well-informed choices, live aspirationally, understand and apply the Grace values, and explore the relevance of the Christian message.
The Ethos & Enterprise Journey
Our Ethos & Enterprise Learning Journey
Every Grace Student participates in an enhanced curriculum as part of their journey from Year 7 to Post 16. This journey is built around four key themes which build on a set of Ethos and Enterprise Learning outcomes that holistically benefit our students.
The key themes are:
| Developing Shared Values: Embedding our values through the curriculum and culture | |
| Understanding Christian Perspectives: Exploring Christian viewpoints on faith based issues as part of the curriculum | |
| Building Healthy Relationships: Developing the skills, values & wisdom to build effective relationships in every sphere of life | |
| Readiness for Employability: Preparing students for the world of work, and real life beyond the academy. Please see the Business & Enterprise section for more details. |
The Ethos and Enterprise learning outcomes make a positive contribution towards OFSTED’S requirements for SMSC and enhance the provision of PSHE, Citizenship and RE, as well as contribute to the promotion of British Values.
Our enhanced curriculum enables students to explore key themes through lessons, assemblies, tutor times, after-school clubs, theme weeks, off timetable days and special events as part of the student’s learning journey.
Our Ethos and Enterprise team
The Ethos & Enterprise Team come from different Academy roles and include members of the Leadership Team, Youth Workers, Relationships & Sex Education Specialists, Business Facilitators and Family Support Workers.
Our specialist Ethos and Enterprise team work alongside all staff and students to champion our vision and values, helping students develop personal holistic life skills which will both support their academic progress and empower them with confidence for the real world.
Additional external funding is provided by the Academy Foundation to help our Ethos & Enterprise Team embed our vision and values through additional resources and experiences for students.
Why focus on values?
Our Grace vision puts our values, which are the heart of our Christian Ethos, as a growing focus through all of our curriculum. We believe these values create the right environment and culture for our students to succeed in all their academic and personal aspirations.
Studies find that values based education improves student and teacher wellbeing and relationships, accelerates academic motivation and diligence, transforms the teaching and learning environment and supports the engagement of families and the wider community.
As we focus on values students gain confidence, self-esteem and self-worth, their behaviour improves, they become more willing to get involved with decision-making, they become more engaged with the school, and they learn better self-control through thinking more intelligently.
More information on the impact of values based approach to education can be found online at http://www.valuesbasededucation.com
What our Staff & Students Say…
Below is an example of what our students and staff are saying about the impact of our Ethos Learning Journey…
Developing Shared Values
“Education is our greatest tool, but it is pointless without values”
Staff Member
“As a group of young boys, Andy Sinton has matured us into Independent responsible young men. As a group we are privileged and honoured that Andy takes his own time to coach us, it’s an honour to work with a professional footballer who has made several appearances for his country and hundreds of Premier League appearances.”
Personal Development Programme with Andy Sinton – UK Football Legend
“I will take on board the values and try and show them through my work.”
Aspire Mentoring Programme
“I experienced a lot of things that I hadn’t done before, and I now understand the meaning of 'grace'.”
Year 7 Ethos Activity Day
“The Youth Worker has helped me build up my confidence. I still find school difficult sometimes, but she helps me work out how I can cope and I enjoy lessons more now.”
Ethos Club
Building Healthy Relationships
88% agreed: I feel better prepared to make healthy choices about sex & relationships.
YEAR 9 RSE DAY
90% agreed: I am more aware of the risks associated with sexual activity.
Post 16 Romance Academy
“This course has given me a lot of self-confidence and made me and my friends closer and more excited to come to school.”
"Miss Understood" Club
Understanding Christian Perspectives
“The Easter Experience was so good. I was really challenged to think about what Easter means because I’ve never given it much thought before.”
Easter Experience 2015
“Stance (External Guests) taught me so much and helped me understand how I can be stronger when things get tough.”
YFC Theme Week
“Happi (External Guest) taught me that I can be a superhero by helping people more.”
Ethos Lesson
“You have helped me understand more about what Christians believe as I never really knew what they thought.”
RE Experience