At The Hills Lower School we work to create a rich, stimulating and enjoyable learning environment which offers safety and security in order that children develop confidence to grow and learn.  Caring, consideration and appreciation of others have equal priority with individual achievement. We aim: To provide learning experiences which will enable every child to progress within the national framework at a level which gives them the opportunity to realise their full potential. To foster positive attitudes towards learning as a lifelong experience. To encourage the development of lively, enquiring minds, the ability to think creatively and innovatively, and to ask questions and engage in logical argument.  To create opportunities to apply skills and knowledge to finding and solving practical problems relevant to the learner. To provide a range of teaching and learning methods which enable children to present their work in a variety of ways. To be able to select the most appropriate presentation for the task in hand and to promote a sense of pride, satisfaction and ownership in their work. To gain respect for religious and moral values and tolerance, awareness and understanding of other races and ways of life and ensure that each child is valued as an individual. To provide opportunities within the wider curriculum for all pupils to experience a sense of awe and wonder. To foster the children’s interest in, respect for and involvement with the environment, developing ideas to care for and improve it. To develop an understanding of the world and an appreciation of individuals and nations. To foster interdisciplinary approaches to thinking and learning by integrating the study of numeracy, literacy and the sciences with arts and humanities. To recognise and appreciate excellence in all fields of human achievement and to challenge children to aspire towards such excellence. To nurture children to have positive and healthy self-images. To develop the knowledge and skills necessary to perform a variety of physical activities and enjoy physical activity as an ongoing part of a healthy lifestyle. To raise awareness and respect for the value of the individual and a sense of social awareness and responsibility. To promote and foster a climate of openness and consultation which encourages parental partnership and community involvement. To establish a sense of ownership, a feeling of satisfaction and pride in belonging to the school community in children, parents, staff, friends and Governors.