British Values
High Meadow Community School is committed to serving the local community and its surrounding areas. We recognise the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever changing nature of the United Kingdom and therefore those we serve. Her Majesty’s Government emphasizes that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools. The government sets out its definition of British Values in the ‘Prevent Strategy’.
How do we contribute to the Promotion of British Values at High Meadow Community School? The examples that follow are an indication of some of the ways we seek to embed British Values at High Meadow Community School through our PSHE provision and our day to day routines, values and behaviours. It should be seen as an indication of our approach rather than an exhaustive list:
Democracy
Democracy is clearly evident within the school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council and Pupil questionnaires. The democratic process is employed for important decisions within the school community in order that children can see, first hand, how this process works. From a curricular point of view, the principle of democracy is explored in History, Religious Education and PSHE.
The Rule of Law
Our children learn that Laws help keep everyone safe and learn about the places in which the Laws are written. They learn about The Queen and her role in accepting Laws that have been heard in the Houses of Parliament. The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class (Good to Be Green), the school (Our Golden Rules), 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, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.
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 safety, through of 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 lunch, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual Respect
Part of our school ethos is around core values such as ‘respect’ and ‘partnerships’ and pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. We are also a ‘No Outsiders School’ and deliver the ‘No Outsiders’ curriculum through weekly assemblies and class discussion. Our children learn about respect for those who help keep our country safe too and participate in the annual Remembrance Day Parade in the local community.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
This is achieved through 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 have been 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.
Should any member of the school community feel that the school is not meeting the requirement to promote British Values, they should contact the school and express their concerns to the Headteacher. Similarly if any member of the school community feel that someone working at the school is undermining the values stated in this policy, they should report their concerns to the Headteacher.
