British Values

This page aims to summarise how, as a school community, Pool House helps its students to develop “British Values”.

As a school, we embrace the Government’s definition of British Values:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect
• Respect for those with different faiths and beliefs

(Source: DfE Press Release 23.6.14)

As a school we believe that we are developing and nurturing these values within the context of our School  values by:

• Acknowledging that all human beings are unique and special and of equal value in our  assemblies and classroom interactions.
• Having a pastoral system that ensures all individuals are known and cared for within a nurturing ethos.
• Having a well-structured, timetabled  Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship education programme which includes issues related to democracy and the rule of law.
• Having a strong Religious Education programme throughout both Key Stages which includes the study of other religions and emphasises our key values of tolerance, compassion and service.
• Effective and well-managed School Council team with representatives from all year groups enabling students to actively participate in the democratic process.
• A broad and balanced curriculum which addresses many of these core values across a range of subject areas.
• Having a clearly communicated and consistently applied Anti-Bullying Policy and a Behaviour Policy, so that students understand what is expected of them and the consequences of both meeting and failing to meet these expectations.
• A rewards system that recognises positive contributions in school and celebrates success.
• Adopting restorative approaches, where possible, to resolve any difficulties between members of our school community and emphasizing the importance of forgiveness.
• Having a rigorous commitment to student safety (for example: trips and visits policy and procedures, Safeguarding procedures, and Health and Safety procedures).
• A varied extra-curricular programme that provides a broad range of opportunities outside the curriculum to develop individual talent and contribute to school life.

 

What are the British Values?

Promoting British Values

In November 2014, the Department for Education published guidance on promoting British values in school to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain.

All schools have a duty to “actively promote” the fundamental British values:

• democracy
• the rule of law
• individual liberty
• mutual respect for, and tolerance of, those with different faiths and beliefs

At Pool House School, we ensure that these values are embedded throughout the curriculum and in our ethos.

Democracy

Each year the children decide upon their class rules and discuss their rights and responsibilities associated with this. All children contribute to this. Children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. We speak to the children regulary and ask them for there choices and ideas when it comes to making some decisions in school enabling the children to understand how their voices can influence decision making.

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout the school day and through the school’s Behaviour policy. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules (laws), the responsibilities that these involve and the consequences when rules are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police and the Fire Service help reinforce these messages.

Individual Liberty

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. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to do this safely, for example through e-safety and PSHE. Our Behaviour management focuses on pupils taking responsibility for their own behaviour and the need to make good choices; this is clearly linked to our rewards and sanctions. We also actively promote an anti-bullying culture through our PSHE curriculum.

Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those with different Faiths and Beliefs

Mutual respect is a key value that we promote throughout the school. All members of the school community treat each other with respect and children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others.

Understanding that people have different faiths or beliefs to themselves (or having none) is promoted as something which is accepted alongside an understanding that, if it is not, this would be prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour.

The pupils enjoy a broad and balanced curriculum which celebrates individuality. We take opportunities to celebrate such diverse events as the Olympics or the Royal Wedding. Topics studied also include learning about other countries and their beliefs, traditions and customs as well as their geography and history.