‘Caring for All, Learning for Life’
Values and Ethos of Hertford Heath Primary School
To develop to the full the different capabilities of every child and to provide them with a firm foundation for learning throughout life.
Our school should…
Promoting British Values at Hertford Heath
The DfE have recently 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 and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.”
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. At Hertford Heath these values are reinforced in the following ways:
Democracy is evident within the school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council and Pupil questionnaires. The elections of School Council Representatives from each class from Y2-Y6 are based on pupil votes.
The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced within regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws/rules, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws/rules are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police; Fire Service etc. are part of our calendar and help reinforce this message.
We promote the Golden Rules. We also have class rules. Our assemblies follow the SEAL termly themes and promote moral values and the need for rules.
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 our 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 E-Safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it be through choice of challenge, of how they record, of participation in our extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around core Behaviour for Learning (BfL) values such as ‘Respect’, and pupils are part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. We promote respect for others, for all adults and for our school resources and our environment. This is reiterated through our classroom and Golden Rules, as well as our behaviour policy.
This is achieved by enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying are 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.