British Values

Through our school vision, values and curriculum we promote the British values of:

- Democracy
- The rule of Law
- Individual liberty
- Respect 

- Tolerance

Links to our school Christian values:
Trust, Respect, Enjoyment, Courage and Kindness
 

Democracy

UN CRC Article 12: Children have the right to say what they think should happen, when adults are making decisions that affect them and to have their opinions taken into account.

How we promote Democracy:

• We teach how people can influence decision making through our PSHE curriculum unit  ‘Being with other people’.
• We have elected school officials, which allows the pupils to have a voice and is used as an opportunity to promote and teach respect about democracy and the electoral process.
• Classes work in a democratic way; making choices that affect all by voting on an issue i.e. at times allowing for a child-led curriculum, voting on how they would like to learn for a particular topic or voting for a winning design for a class project and voting for our annual ‘Heathlands Got Talent’ competition winner.
• We encourage volunteerism. This includes: School tour guides, Play Leaders, Wet Play monitors, Eco Monitors, Worship Team - all of whom make decisions and contribute to the smooth running of the school. The School Council represent the school in decision making for supporting local/national charities.
•  The beginnings of democracy are taught through historical topics. (Ancient Greek, Mayan & Roman civilisations. The rights of a child (Victorians), the effects of WW2, the changing role of British monarchs and the impact of significant Britons on society e.g. Winston Churchill, Emily Pankhurst, Guy Fawkes.
• Regular pupil, parent and staff questionnaires are completed allowing stakeholders a voice.​

The Rule of Law

UN CRC Article 19: Governments should ensure that children are properly cared for and protect them from violence, abuse and neglect by their parents, or anyone else who looks after them

How we promote the Rule of Law:
 

• We have a clear code of conduct: Be Safe, Be Kind, Be Respectful. This acts as our Rule of Law in school and we make links between this and British law.
• We have high expectation regarding pupils conduct and this is reflected in our Relationships and Behaviour Policy. There are rewards for exhibiting responsible actions and respectful behaviour; demonstration of our values is recognised through such things such as our weekly Values Champion awards. Each class teacher has a reward system in place to celebrate children who respect the rule of law.
• Through our PSHE curriculum unit ‘Living in the community’ we teach pupils to appreciate that living under the rule of the law in Britain protects individual citizens and is essential for their well-being and safety and units from Jasmin and Tom support staying safe and acting within the law when using the internet.
• Our Christian values encourage children to know God’s law and to reflect upon how this relates to British law.
• Through our school’s values and collective worship, children are taught how to earn trust and respect and are supported to develop a strong sense of morality; knowing right from wrong and doing the right thing; making good choices even when it is difficult.
• The local police/fire/road safety officers come to the school to talk to the children and explain about their role in society. The year 6 pupils also attend ‘Crucial Crew’ where they are encouraged to consider how their decisions impact upon their lives and the lives of others.
• Each classroom displays our ‘Code of Conduct’ which show what we expect the children to be doing and which are shared at the beginning of each term and also related to living in a country with laws to keep us safe.
• Children are taught regularly about e-safety and our required to abide by a set of SMART rules when using the internet.

Individual Liberty

UN CRC Article 31: All children have the right to relax and play and to join in a wide variety of activities.
 
UN CRC Article 15: Children have the right to meet together and to join groups and organisations, as long as this does not stop other people from enjoying their rights.

How we promote Individual Liberty:

• Through our school values, collective worship and PSHE, our children are taught about personal responsibility, choices, ambition and aspiration.
• They are encouraged to take opportunities to follow their interests in music, sport, dance, art, drama and a range of extra-curricular clubs both in and outside school. All clubs are open to all children regardless of gender or ability.
• Our children are taught how to keep themselves safe, including on-line. This is done through computing lessons, collective worship and outside organisations, as well as through the PSHE curriculum.
• Our school provides pastoral support and guidance through: art therapy, play therapy, learning mentor support, access to therapists through a range of local agencies and our open door policy.
• Growth Mindset is an important part of our school ethos encouraging all children to become life-long learners regardless of backgrounds and encouraging them to aspire and achieve in their chosen field.

Mutual Respect

UN CRC Article 2: The convention applies to everyone, Irrespective of their race, religion, abilities, whatever
they think or say and what ever type of family they come from.
 
UN CRC Article 30:  Children have a right to learn and use the language and customs of their families, whether these are shared by the majority of the people in the country or not.

How we promote Mutual Respect:
 

• Children are taught to understand the importance of identifying and combating discrimination.
• We have high expectations about pupil conduct and this is reflected in our Rewards and Behaviour Policy.
• Children are taught to respect each other, to be co-operative and collaborative and to look for similarities whilst being understanding of differences.
• Mutual respect is also promoted through the teachings of Jesus in the RE curriculum, PSHE lessons, circle times and collective worship.
• EAL support/provision is appropriate, caring and respectful; for adults and children, alongside any minority group.
• We hold an annual Arts and Culture week where children are encouraged to recognise and appreciate differences with others around the world.

Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs

UN CRC Article 14: Children have the right to think and believe what they want and to practice their religion, as long as they are not stopping other people from enjoying their rights. Parents should guide their children on these matters.

How we promote Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs:
 

• We teach children that everyone is welcome at our school regardless of their background and beliefs.
• We teach children that they have the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and that this is protected by law.
• We have high expectations regarding pupil conduct and this is reflected in our Relationships and Behaviour Policy.
• Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs is promoted through the Diocese of Chelmsford Religious Education Syllabus. Children learn about different religions; their beliefs, places of worship and festivals. The children’s work relating to this subject is often displayed around the school.
• Collective worship is sometimes led by local religious leaders.