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Valentines High School – Ethos and Values
At Valentines High School, we hold a simple but powerful vision for every young person: that they leave us happy, open-minded, and leave school with meaningful qualifications. To help every student achieve this, our community is shaped by a shared ethos, The Valentines Way. This is built on four core values: Respect, Kindness, Resilience, and Aspiration.
These values are more than words on a page; they are lived, modelled, and celebrated every day. They underpin our motto, “In Harmony, Achieving Excellence,” because we know that when students feel like they belong, and are valued within a harmonious community, they can thrive, academically, socially, and personally. The Valentines Way strengthens character, nurtures confidence, inspires ambition, and builds the resilience needed for life both inside and beyond the classroom.
We believe in equality of opportunity and the richness that comes from diversity. Our students learn to value difference, treat others with dignity, and work together as part of a vibrant, multicultural community. These values shape how we speak, how we act, and how we grow.
Kindness is at the heart of our school. As Ms Power beautifully puts it, “Kindness is the most important value to me because it feels like the closest thing we have to magic. By sprinkling just a few simple words of kindness we can suddenly change someone's day for the better, make them feel less alone, and help them to not feel sad.”
Ms Khanom echoes this sentiment: ''For me, kindness is what makes ambition feel safe at VHS. I see it every day in the small acts of care between staff and in the mutual respect students show each other. That every day kindness lifts me in my work and gives our students the confidence to aim high to achieve their goals''.
Our staff know that these values extend far beyond the school gates. Ms Khatun reflects on the bigger picture behind the work we do: “The values we have at VHS, to me, are the foundation of what it takes to be kind, confident, and successful even beyond school years. What I appreciate most is knowing our kids have the best opportunities to not just thrive academically, but socially, too. Grades matter, but you never forget the child who asks about your day, thanks you for your efforts, anticipates your lessons, and talks highly of you to others. It's why I do what I do! I love being an inspiration to our tiny humans who have so much potential. What a privilege it is to hold a special place in their lives and shape their futures.”
Aspiration at Valentines is about dreaming boldly and pushing beyond limits. As Mr Karim reminds us, “Aspiration means working out where your ceiling is, and smashing through it.”
We know that real growth comes through challenge, perseverance, and courage. Ms Groom feels that, “Being resilient is so important for building ourselves as people. We all make mistakes; we all need to try again at certain things and recognising this and having another go shows you are brilliant! Resilience is a part of building strength.”
Underpinning everything we do is a commitment to shaping compassionate young people ready to contribute to their world. As Mr Watts shares, “The VHS Way of Resilience, Aspiration, Respect and Kindness is essential in shaping our students' perspective of leading the next generation. Promoting respect and kindness as such ensures students gain priceless skills such as manners, independence, and selflessness in order to help others.”
Together, these voices reflect what makes Valentines High School extraordinary: a community united by shared values, committed to nurturing excellence, and dedicated to shaping confident, capable, kind young people who will make a difference, now and in the future.
This is The Valentines Way and it is something we live proudly, every single day.
Our OFSTED Inspection
Valentines High school was recently inspected, in October 2021 and Ofsted rated us as Outstanding in all categories. The report states that,
Pupils and sixth form students are happy in school. They enjoy each other’s company and offer a warm welcome to those new to the school. Pupils are respectful and get along well with all. As a result, the school is a harmonious community and incidents of bullying are rare. Pupils across school achieve highly in all subjects. This includes students in the sixth form.
Our Regional and National networks
Our school is part of regional and national networks such as an SSAT, Leading Edge and the Education Development Trust Schools Partnership programme. We are truly at the ‘cutting edge’ of new educational developments and leave no stone unturned in seeking ways to further enhance the educational experience of each and every one of our students.
