British Values

Promoting Fundamental British Values.

In accordance with The Department for Education we aim to actively promote British values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain.

Pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law.

The Key Values are:

• democracy
• rule of law
• individual liberty
• mutual respect
• tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

Promoting British Values at The Hall

At The Hall the values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy:

Democracy is promoted within the school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council and Pupil questionnaires. The elections of House Captains are based solely on pupil votes. Each teacher has different ways in which the pupils make their voices heard in their classroom e.g. through Circle Time, R Time including questionnaires, discussions, decisions over classroom rules, voting on their motto for each term etc. We have also had visits and assemblies led from time to time by local politicians as well as our local MP. We try to challenge injustice through our curriculum e.g. we promote Black History Month every year. Through the RE Unit on Race and Diversity we further promote democracy.

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 regular school days and through school assemblies. The children are taught right from wrong. 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; Fire Service; Road Safety Officers etc. are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message. There is a clear Code of Conduct for all pupils which is on display in every area of the school. Each family signs the Home School Agreement which includes the Code of Conduct as well as other linking themes.

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 pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. It is emphasised how liberty and freedom brings with it responsibility. Whether it be through choice of challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices. All classes work towards incentives such as ‘Golden Time’ where their choices affect outcomes for themselves personally as well as the whole class. We also try to give ownership of learning to the children and promote a personal investigative approach. At break and lunch times the children are allowed to use the outside spaces according to their personal choices. Our shared values in the school promote both staff and children as good role models and we take opportunities to challenge stereotypes whenever the opportunity arises.

Mutual Respect:

Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around Core Values such as ‘Respect’, and pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. Posters around the school promote respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our Rewards and Sanctions Policy. The children themselves patrol a buddy bench whereby they promote respect and friendships. We have developed a ‘Child, Happiness and Behaviour’ Policy which supports teachers and adults in school to treat every child fairly. Our Equality and Inclusion policy reflects this core value and professional development explores how we engender a respectful ethos. We support events such as Anti Bullying Week’ and the ‘Send My Child to School’ Campaign.

We promote respect through R Time and Circle Time. We provide opportunities for children to learn to respect others through our curriculum enrichment days e.g. visits from people from other cultures and traditions e.g. Zulu Theatre Company, Indian dancers etc. We promote respect through having an active Accessibility Plan where we promote inclusion and use videos and visitors who are disabled to talk to the children in assemblies. We support charities where they promote respect and tolerance e.g. Jeans for Genes Day etc.

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. We celebrate festivals throughout the year from all the world religions. Visitors into school enhance our understanding. As part of our RE curriculum we visit places of worship e.g. churches, mandirs, temples, mosques, synagogues and Gudwaras. As a school we have been awarded the International Schools Award by working with other schools in both India and France.

The Hall joined the global campaign again this year to persuade world leaders that we care about education for all. There are an estimated 37 million children missing out on schooling in the world today. For this to happen schools need to be safe places. In the UK we often take this principle for granted. All the children at The Hall made banners highlighting the need to educate the children of the world in a safe environment. One of the messages written by a child said, “I have a dream that one day all the children of the world will receive an education.” The School Council wrote to our MP, Mr Edward Argar, inviting him to attend a special assembly to receive our work. Mr Argar came along and was treated to a presentation led by the children which included powerful messages, singing and art work. Mr Argar spoke to the assembly highlighting the opportunities the children have at The Hall for a good education and realising the work yet to be done around the world. He promised to deliver our messages to the Prime Minister when he returned to Westminster. The children were delighted that their efforts were recognised. He concluded his visit to The Hall with a guided tour directed by three of our House Captains.