A core value is a central belief clearly understood and shared by every member of the school community.

We believe in respect, understanding, resilience, responsibility and aspiration.

By respect and understanding we mean that everyone:

• Respects ourselves and others
• Respect the school buildings, property and the environment
• Shows care and concern for others with honesty and empathy
• Understands that everyone is different and equal and values everyone
• Shows good manners to all

By resilience we mean that everyone will:

• Support each other in developing perseverance and courage
• Takes ownership in developing their own resilience
• Have a go attitude with self-belief and optimism

By responsibility we mean that everyone:

• Takes ownership of their own learning
• Shows commitment to all aspects of school life
• Shares responsibility for caring for the environment
• Follows school rules
• Makes good decisions about their own behaviour

By aspiration we mean that everyone:

• Challenges themselves to aim as high as they can
• Strives to achieve their full potential
• Celebrate personal achievements
• Shows pride in their successes

 

Zones of Regulation at Richard Durning’s: Supporting Our School Values

At Richard Durning’s Endowed Primary School, we want every child to feel safe, understood and ready to learn. To support this, we use The Zones of Regulation, a well‑known approach that helps children recognise their emotions, understand how their feelings impact their behaviour, and learn simple strategies to help themselves get back to a place where they can learn and thrive.

What are the Zones of Regulation?

The Zones use four colours to help children identify how they are feeling:

• Blue Zone – tired, sad, unwell or not ready to learn
• Green Zone – calm, focused, happy and ready to learn
• Yellow Zone – worried, anxious, excited or starting to lose control
• Red Zone – angry, overwhelmed or out of control

We teach children that all feelings are normal, and the Zones simply help them to understand what they are feeling and what they can do to manage those feelings.

How it links to our school values

Using the Zones of Regulation supports our school goals of:

• Respect – learning to understand our own feelings and respect how others feel.
• Resilience – developing strategies to manage emotions, calm ourselves and keep going.
• Responsibility – recognising our actions and learning how to make positive choices.
• Kindness – showing empathy to others who may be in a different “zone”.

The Zones give children a simple language they can use with adults and peers, helping them build emotional awareness, self‑control and strong relationships.

How we use it in school

All classes use the Zones as part of daily routines. Children learn to:

• Check in with how they are feeling
• Use tools such as movement breaks, quiet spaces, breathing strategies or talking to an adult
• Understand that emotions change throughout the day and that all zones are okay
• Learn ways to help themselves return to the Green Zone and be ready to learn

We encourage families to use the same language at home to help create consistency and support children’s wellbeing.

If you would like more information about the Zones of Regulation, please contact school and we will be happy to help.