Values Days
Every half term, students at Chobham take part in Academy Values Days. The Values Days planned at the Academy in 2024-25 can be found below.
On Values Days, students spend a whole day taking part in a series of activities dedicated to instilling the values our school stands for: Inclusion, Curiosity, Honesty, Empathy, Excellence and Respect.
These memorable learning opportunities may include workshops, drama activities, assemblies, specially tailored lessons, cross-phase (primary and secondary) learning and trips and visits.
Our goal is for our students to leave the Academy having become respectful, tolerant, responsible young citizens, who possess the courage to stand up for what is right and the confidence and resilience to achieve.
When planning our Values Days, we look to the community and wider society our students will join and equip them with the knowledge and skills they will need to lead and thrive in their environment.
Primary values days 2024-25
- Autumn – How can I support my community?
- Autumn – What does it mean to be anti-racist?
- Spring – How can I look after my mental health?
- Spring – How can I keep myself safe online?
- Summer – How can I support the LGBTQ+ community?
- Summer – Which career path is right for me?
Secondary values days 2024-25
Values Days at in the secondary school at Harris Academy Chobham aim to create more opportunities for students to explore volunteering, support friends, family, and neighbours, and appreciate the importance of political involvement (e.g., staying informed on current events and participating in rallies or protests respectfully while understanding diverse viewpoints).
We encourage environmentally conscious behaviours, demonstrate social responsibility, and promote essential civic skills like listening and understanding differing perspectives on contemporary issues. According to researchers, these helpful behaviours helped meet the basic needs of young adults for autonomy, connectedness, and competence—feeling free, connected to others, and capable.
The Values Days at in the secondary school at Harris Academy Chobham wfocus on three key themes:
- Health and Wellbeing
- Careers and Living in the Wider World
- Relationships.
The goal is to help students develop a deeper respect for themselves, others, and the environment. By the end of their school life, students will have a better understanding of the importance of rules and laws, increased self-awareness, and greater empathy for the experiences of others.
Health and Wellbeing
Key objective: Promote self-care, resilience, and awareness of mental and physical health.
- Transition and Safety: As students transition to secondary school, it is crucial to focus on personal safety, both inside and outside school. First aid training is an important part of this, teaching students how to respond effectively to health emergencies.
- Health and Puberty: Educating students about healthy routines, puberty, and important topics such as unwanted contact and female genital mutilation (FGM) ensures that they are aware of their personal development and understand how to protect themselves.
- Drugs and Alcohol: Addressing the risks of substance misuse and the peer pressures surrounding drug use prepares students to make informed decisions about their health.
- Emotional Wellbeing: Discussing mental health, emotional wellbeing, and coping strategies encourages students to seek help and develop resilience when facing difficulties.
Careers and Living in the Wider World
Key objective: Equip students with skills for career planning, employability, and financial responsibility.
- Developing Skills and Aspirations: Values Day can focus on helping students understand the importance of teamwork, enterprise skills, and how raising aspirations can shape their future careers. This encourages students to see the value of education and skills development in achieving their goals.
- Financial Decision Making: Introducing concepts like budgeting, saving, and the impact of financial choices fosters responsible financial habits that will benefit students in adulthood.
- Community and Careers: Promoting equality of opportunity and introducing students to different career paths enables them to explore the possibilities available to them and understand how their choices today shape their futures.
- Digital Literacy: As part of living in the modern world, learning about online safety, media reliability, and the risks associated with digital platforms ensures that students are equipped to navigate the internet safely and responsibly.
Relationships
Key objective: Teach respect, conflict resolution, and relationship boundaries.
- Diversity and Building Relationships: Values Day can include discussions on the importance of understanding diversity, rejecting prejudice, and tackling bullying. This helps create a respectful and inclusive school environment while also promoting healthy relationships with friends and family.
- Discrimination: Addressing discrimination in all its forms—such as racism, sexism, and homophobia—helps students understand how to stand up against prejudice and promote equality.
- Identity and Relationships: Conversations around gender identity, sexual orientation, consent, and healthy relationships, including topics like 'sexting' and contraception, provide students with the knowledge to form respectful and consensual relationships.
- Respectful Relationships and Intimate Relationships: Emphasising the importance of healthy relationships, consent, and navigating romantic relationships responsibly. This includes discussing the potential risks of pornography and STIs.
Each section of the curriculum aims to empower students to make informed, thoughtful decisions in their personal lives, in their relationships with others, and as they prepare for their future careers. Values Day provides an opportunity to integrate these lessons into the broader school community, fostering a safe, inclusive, and aspirational environment for all students.
