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Our School Vision & Aims

  • Honest – We tell the truth
  • Respectful – We look after each other
  • Courteous – We are kind and thankful
  • Resilient – We never give up
  • Forgiving – We don’t hold grudges
  • Generous – We share with each other
  • Responsible – We are dependable and work to keep our agreed Values

 At Smawthorne Henry Moore Academy, we are united in our aspiration to be a school of excellence, standing proudly at the very heart of the Castleford community. Our vision is to be far more than a place of learning; we seek to be a family, a home where every child feels safe, nurtured, and inspired to discover who they are and what they can become. We will cultivate an environment of respect, ambition, and natural curiosity, where children not only acquire knowledge but develop the resilience, courage, and passion needed to thrive both in school and in life.

We envision a future where every child leaves SHMA with a strong foundation of essential skills, knowledge, and values that will serve as stepping stones towards success. Through a carefully designed, ambitious, and bespoke curriculum, our pupils will be given opportunities to explore, question, and grow, ensuring that they are not only academically prepared but also confident, compassionate, and mindful citizens of the future. With literacy and language at the heart of our curriculum, we will nurture a love of reading and learning that will endure long after pupils leave our school.

Central to our vision is the belief that education is a shared journey. We will continue to strengthen partnerships with parents, carers, the Accomplish Multi Academy Trust, and the wider community, working together to build experiences and memories that instil a lifelong sense of pride in being part of Smawthorne Henry Moore Academy. The Accomplish MAT values of care, empowerment, and celebrating uniqueness align perfectly with our own and are deeply embedded in our daily practice. We care deeply about every individual child, empowering them to be ambitious and courageous in pursuit of their dreams, while recognising and celebrating what makes each of them unique. By embracing these shared values, we ensure that every pupil feels seen, valued, and supported, growing into confident young people who believe in their own potential and in the strength of their individuality.

Our vision is one of continual growth and improvement, inspired both by the successes we have achieved and by the boundless potential we see in our children. With unwavering commitment, we will embed our core values into the life of the school so that all children are equipped to believe in themselves and to achieve their dreams. Every interaction with a child is an opportunity — an opportunity to inspire, to instil confidence, to spark curiosity, and to reinforce the values that will shape their future.

If you believe, you can achieve — #TheSmawthorneExperience

Our Mission

At Smawthorne Henry Moore Academy, we aspire to be a school of excellence, rooted at the heart of the Castleford community and woven into its future. Our vision is to be more than a place of learning — we seek to be a family, a safe and nurturing home where every child feels valued, cared for, and empowered to achieve their full potential. We want every pupil to leave our school not only with strong academic foundations, but with the courage, resilience, and ambition to shape their own bright futures.

We believe that every child is unique, with talents and potential that deserve to be celebrated. Inspired by the values of Accomplish MAT — care, empowerment, and celebrating uniqueness — we commit ourselves to an education that recognises, nurtures, and honours individuality. We care deeply about the wellbeing and success of every child; we empower pupils to take ownership of their learning and their future; and we celebrate the strengths and talents that make each of them unique. By living these values daily, we create an inclusive culture where all pupils flourish, no matter their background, abilities, or aspirations.

Our mission is to embed an ambitious and bespoke curriculum that inspires curiosity, builds confidence, and equips children with the knowledge and skills they need for life. Literacy and language sit at the heart of all we do, unlocking every area of the curriculum and instilling a lifelong love of reading. With firm foundations in place, our pupils will be encouraged to question, to imagine, and to apply their learning in new and creative ways. Our goal is to develop thoughtful, respectful, and aspirational individuals who are ready not just for the next stage of their education, but for the opportunities and challenges of the wider world.

Pupil voice is at the heart of the learning experience at SHMA, with children given the responsibility and confidence to help shape their own school journey. We recognise that the opportunities and experiences children receive in their early years play a vital role in shaping who they are and who they will become. By providing a wealth of meaningful experiences — meeting inspiring people, exploring new places, and embracing opportunities beyond the classroom — we help our pupils to create joyful childhood memories that last a lifetime. Our dedicated staff work tirelessly to ensure that every child feels safe, valued, and secure. Within this supportive environment, children are free to enjoy both their education and their childhood, building the foundations for a future filled with confidence, ambition, and possibility.

We see ourselves as an integral part of the Castleford community. By working in strong partnership with families, carers, Accomplish MAT, and the wider locality, we aim to create experiences that children will treasure and that will instil pride in their roots and confidence in their identity. Through enrichment opportunities, cultural experiences, and meaningful connections with their community, our children will develop a sense of belonging and a belief that they can make a positive contribution to the world around them.

Our vision is also one of continuous growth and improvement. We take inspiration from the successes we have already achieved and look forward with determination to the future we can create together. Every member of staff at SHMA is committed to building ambition within our children, knowing that every interaction is an opportunity to inspire, to instil confidence, and to create lasting memories. Together, we will ensure that our core values of respect, resilience, courage, curiosity, and ambition are not only taught but lived out in every aspect of school life.

At the heart of our vision lies our lived motto: if children believe in themselves, they can achieve beyond their own expectations. By embedding this belief in everything we do, we will raise a generation of young people who are proud of who they are, proud of where they come from, and confident in the future they will create. If you believe, you can achieve — #TheSmawthorneExperience.