British Values
At A.R.H., we develop and promote British Values throughout our school and within our curriculum.
A key part of our plan for education is to ensure children become valuable and fully rounded members of society who treat others with respect and leave school fully prepared for life in modern Britain.
At A.R.H. we uphold and teach children about British Values which are defined as:
- Democracy
- The Rule of Law
- Individual Liberty
- Mutual Respect
- Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs
Through this, our children will develop;
- An understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process.
- An understanding that the freedom to hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law.
- An acceptance that people having different faiths and beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated and not be the cause of discriminatory behaviour.
- An understanding of the importance of discrimination and identifying and combating it.
We value and promote shared personal achievement, high standards and respect for the individual. The mission statement and aims of the school clearly reflect these values and the whole school strives to uphold them.
The British Values are taught explicitly through our Personal, Social, Health and Emotional lessons (P.S.H.E.), our ‘No Outsiders’ curriculum, our Behaviour and Safety curriculum and Religious Education (R.E.). They are also taught through the delivery of a broad and balanced curriculum which includes real opportunities for exploring them, for example in History and Geography, and through our assemblies. Actively promoting these values also includes challenging opinions or behaviour in school that are contrary to them. These values are integral to our mission aims and are reinforced regularly in the following ways:
Democracy
Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council. The election of the School Council members reflects our British electoral system and demonstrates democracy in action: candidates make speeches, pupils consider characteristics important for an elected representative and pupils vote in secret. The School Council meets regularly to discuss issues raised by different classes and is genuinely able to effect change within the school. Other examples of ‘pupil voice’ include using pupil feedback forms to shape future delivery of the curriculum and pupil conferencing. Further to this, pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. We also encourage pupils to take ownership of their own learning and progress.
The Rule of Law
The importance of rules and laws, whether they be those that govern our school or our country, are referred to and reinforced often, such as in assemblies and when reflecting on behaviour choices. At the start of the school year, each class discusses its set of class rules to ensure all can learn in a safe and ordered environment with these rules then being displayed in each class throughout the year. This value is reinforced in different ways, including visits from authorities such as the police and fire service, and during Religious Education when rules for particular faiths are thought about. These values are also considered during other school subjects where there is respect and appreciation for different rules, such as in sports lessons. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws – that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when the rules and laws are broken.
Individual Liberty
Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, through the provision of a safe environment and planned curriculum, and to understand and exercise their rights and personal freedom safely, for example through our e-Safety teaching. Through opportunities such as our extra-curricular clubs, Golden Time, Enrichment choices and Residential Trips, pupils are given the freedom to make safe choices.
Mutual Respect
We have high expectations of achievement and behaviour. Children and staff are polite and we believe that everyone has their own strengths and we are expected to use them. We listen to and respect each other. All members of the school family are valued equally. Children learn that their behaviour choices have an effect on their own rights and those of others. We celebrate lunch time behaviour and taking care of our school environment through litter picking. We celebrate each other’s achievements whether that be in or out of school through our weekly ‘Well Done’ assemblies and sending praise postcards in the post. Teachers plan exciting, interesting, challenging and innovative lessons where everybody is expected to do their best and respect others. When our older children are given key roles and responsibilities to work alongside younger children, e.g. Reading Buddies or meeting ‘Partner Classes’ to share work, it helps promote mutual respect across the age phases. You can find out more information on our ‘Volunteering’ page of the school website.
Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs
At A.R.H., we are proud to promote and celebrate our different backgrounds and beliefs. Tolerance, politeness and mutual respect are at the heart of our aims, ethos and R.E. curriculum. Our aims drive us towards ensuring that our pupils are able to live and work alongside people from all backgrounds and cultures. Our pupils know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone and to everything, whatever differences we may have. Children are encouraged to share their own experiences when celebrating their own faith and assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in R.E. and P.S.H.E. As a school, we enjoy celebrating a range of different religious festivals throughout the school year.
