When launching a new vision for Absalons Skole, management decided to create a new set of values. Therefore the school started working with Format to lead the process. The cooperation was focused on the school wanting new perspectives and a process creating visible results through the involvement of both pupils and teachers.

Action
Based on a conviction that values should create shared basis for actions practiced in an organization, and take place in actual situations, actions became the foundation of the process. Values were to live actively and be expressed in the classroom, in the common room and in the school yard rather than merely being passive words on the website. Agreement was also reached that the stated words describing the values are always negotiable, to ensure that action remains central to the values.

Ambassadors
A so called Value-Team was created, consisting of ambassadors representing both pupils and personnel. The Value-Team became essential to the process and met regularly to share knowledge and ensure progress.

Workshops
To place action in the center of the process, a whole day of workshops was held. Rane Willerslev started the day by sharing his view on creativity, the importance of this and the need to challenge today’s way of thinking school. In an engaging process, discussion took place in groups and a pool of actions was collected. Actions which had shaped the school as it was now and which, based on the vision, was to shape the school in the future. Ideas were developed into actual projects which, based on the collected actions, could gather the school around then value process and create positive, visible results.

Phrasing of values
Based on the collected actions the Value-Team phrased 4 value-sentences expressing the actions that were prioritized as those most important to the school and the vision. Values which, in the future, were to be the foundation of, and inspire to, positive actions in the school.
• Kindness and helpfulness
• We take care of our school
• Safety and courage to seek new roads
• Involvement and participartory democracy

For each value-sentence an argument was phrased (WHY), and a short description of how to express the values through action (HOW).

Implementation
Using values as a point of reference, activities were conducted where values were translated into actions and debated. A film project was conducted, where values were interpreted as super heroes in a universe developed by the pupils. School timetables with scratch cards and posters to follow up were produced which, based on different subjects, provided the opportunity to discuss the values in class and write down actions that expressed the values as well as their importance to the pupils and the community.

Format developed the value process, planned and facilitated meetings and workshops as well as provided continuous sparring to both management, Value-Team and the teachers. Format provided creative ideas for activities and elements, visual illustrations expressing the values as well as developed a visual identity with logo, colours and font for Absalons Skolen.

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