Promoting British Values
The Department of Education has reinforced the need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.”
At Newark Hill Academy these values are an integral part of the school ethos. They are reinforced throughout the school day and support children in developing their knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence.
They are part of Academy life in the following ways.
Democracy is integral to the Academy. Children develop an understanding of how, as citizens, they can influence decision making through the democratic process. They have the opportunity to have their voice heard through our School Council, pupil questionnaires and as part of the collaborative planning cycle. The elections of School Council class representatives are based solely on pupil votes. Our school behaviour policy involves rewards which the pupils vote on as a class group. The Academy also encourages pupils to accept responsibility for their own behaviour through a positive behaviour approach which is very much based on choice.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the Academy, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws: that they govern and protect us and are essential for wellbeing and safety, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police; Fire Service, etc. are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make 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 provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our Online Safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it be through our collaborative planning approach, choice of challenge, recording their learning, participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Our Academy ethos and behavior policy is underpinned by core values such as ‘respect’, and pupils are part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. Posters/displays around the school promote respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our behaviour policy.
Tolerance of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
Tolerance is achieved through enhancing pupils’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience and celebrate such diversity. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying are followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school and during assemblies.
If you would like to know more about how we promote British values at the Academy please don’t hesitate to get in contact.