The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated by the Prime Minister this year 2014. At IMPACT these values are taught in the following ways:
One of the fundamental values at IMPACT is the right of all members of the community to be heard and the responsibility of others to allow this to happen. This is taught and reinforced through all lessons, teaching and modelling to children and young people, how to make their needs and wishes heard in a way that society and school life finds acceptable. This is done throughout every lesson and taught explicitly through PSHE , but also through experiences of adventurous and enriching activities. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our school Council and Pupil questionnaires. Our school behaviour policy involves rewards which are identified by the individual pupils, their needs and interests.
The Rule of Law:
The importance of Laws or rules, whether they are those that govern the classroom, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days. During induction and throughout the placement Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind the schools rules, what they mean and how they look when people are following them. There is part of the KS4 and KS3 Englsih curriculum discussion and debate about the rules that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws and rules are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service form part of our regular curriculum and often part of individual packages needed to support young people. The fundamental and principle right to feel and be safe is paramount in all aspects of the school.
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make positive choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment, staff with whom they have a positive and supportive relationship and boundaries that are secure. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, but also their responsibility to consider how making their choice will impact on themselves and others in the immediate and long term future.
Part of our aim for every child is to develop a healthy respect for themselves, to build self-esteem, self-worth and confidence as a learner. This is our core purpose and is threaded through learning and teaching, behaviour and safeguarding policies. It is part of daily discussions about personal targets, and weekly numerical targets in behaviour and attendance. It is modelled daily by all staff and an expectation of the whole community.
Tolerance of Difference:
This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their own and others needs and impressing upon them that they belong; to the IMPACT community; to their local community and their world community. Much of the work at IMPACT is about overcoming anxiety about differences but equally celebrating and embracing difference through celebration of achievements, developing understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity through collapsed days, working with visitors and extended family members to develop understanding and give children experiences from a range of cultures and belief systems. PSHE lessons about prejudices and prejudice-based bullying are routine and 1:1 work following any incidents reinforce this learning. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.