It is impossible to design a curriculum that equips children precisely for a future that is unknown. That is why, at Highgate Primary School, our core values have never mattered more.
A school’s stated aims can sometimes feel rather generic.
Phrases such as ‘we want all children to reach their full potential’ are common, but surely this is true of every school – and how could we even know what a child’s ‘full potential’ might be? What matters most is not just what children know and are able to do, but who they become. Establishing who we want our children to be is fundamental.
At Highgate Primary, we want our children to love learning, to be inclusive and supportive, to live healthy lives, and to care for their environment. These values are not abstract statements; they are evident in everything we do – what we prioritise, how we treat one another, and how learning feels.
Encouraging a love of learning goes far beyond academic attainment. In our art studio and in our immersive ‘performance weeks’, pupils are given time and space to experiment, reflect and take creative risks.
Through our Mandarin programme, children encounter a new language and culture, discovering that communication and understanding extend beyond their immediate world.
Experiences like these nurture curiosity, creativity and confidence, qualities that last far longer than memorised facts.
Being inclusive and supportive means ensuring that every child feels they belong.
Our school community shares 42 different languages and, directly or indirectly, has a connection with most parts of the world. Our partnership with Blanche Nevile School for Deaf Children brings inclusion to life in meaningful, everyday ways.
Through shared learning and relationships, children develop an understanding of different ways of communicating and seeing the world. Empathy is learned through connection and inclusion is real.
Health is another non-negotiable. Initiatives such as our in-house cookery school, Forest School, our home-cooked school meals and time spent on the school allotment support children’s physical wellbeing, emotional regulation and resilience.
Cooking together fosters co-operation and independence, while outdoor learning builds confidence, calm and respect for nature.
Education here is about the whole child, not just what can be measured.
Our commitment to being a green school reflects a wider responsibility. Time spent outdoors helps children understand their relationship with the environment and offers something increasingly rare in London: space to slow down, observe and think.
In an age of constant change and growing pressure, a values-led education may seem unfashionable. Yet if we want children to navigate a complex world with confidence, treat others with kindness, and contribute positively to their communities, then a values-led education is essential.
