The Foundation
 

Statement of Values

The Foundation is involved in education in Birmingham through 8 schools, two independent schools, King Edward’s School and King Edward VI High School for Girls, five grammar schools, King Edward VI Aston School, King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys, King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls, King Edward VI Five Ways School and King Edward VI Handsworth School, and one academy, the King Edward VI Sheldon Heath Academy.

The following principles are fundamental to the Foundation and its schools:

  • education has the power to raise aspirations, to transform the lives of young people and to enhance the well-being of individuals and the community.
  • the central purpose of education is to give young people the chance to live rich, fulfilled lives and to contribute to society.
  • the pursuit of excellence is central to enable children to fulfil their potential. In particular, the Foundation has a belief that the academic selection of pupils can be a very effective way of achieving that excellence, enabling schools to bring together and challenge the best pupils.
  • education does not merely involve the teaching of knowledge and skills. There are other elements which are of equal importance
      o the development of curiosity, independence of mind, a love of learning, creativity, imagination, the capacity to communicate.
      o the chance to participate in a wide range of activities, for example, sport, music, drama, outdoor pursuits, involvement in the wider community.
      o the development of character and relationships, a sense of morality, care and respect for others.
      o the development of a sense of responsibility for and contribution to the community.
  • the schools of the Foundation should be rooted in the communities that they serve and be responsive to the nature of those communities. In particular, all of the schools are committed to making themselves as accessible as possible to all pupils, whatever their background or circumstances.
  • the provision of a variety of education, independent and state-funded, single-sex and mixed, selective and non-selective.