British Values

British Values

At West Lea School we celebrate the diverse backgrounds of all pupils, families and the wider school community.  

We aim to nurture our children on their journey through life so they can grow into safe, caring and open-minded adults who make a positive contribution to their
community and take their place in the world. 

We encourage our children to be creative, unique and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and of others in our school, our local community and
the wider world.  Wherever possible, we take a global approach to learning by introducing themes from the perspective of other people in other countries.

We actively promote British values in the following ways:

DEMOCRACY

·        Communication-The ability to understand and communicate are the most important areas of learning. We ensure that pupils are given a ‘voice ‘to communicate using a range of methods including words, objects, photographs, pictures or symbols.

·        School Council – The school has Campus and Whole School Student Council who are democratically elected reflecting the British electoral system. Children are encouraged to discuss and debate topics of interest, express their views and make a meaningful contribution to the running of the school on matters that directly involve pupils. 

·        Consultation- Views are also captured through pupil questionnaires, class-based consultation and also at annual review meetings. Pupils also contribute to Borough wide Youth forums influencing decision making which affects young people in the local community.

·        Campus and whole school assemblies-The principle of democracy is explored during assemblies and awareness days.

·        Citizenship education is part of our PSHE curriculum. Pupils learn about democracy, politics, voting and the importance of listening to one another’s views. Everyone is given the chance to express their opinion and debate relevant topics.

RULE OF LAW

  • Our school promotes three simple rules ‘Be ready, Be Safe, Be Kind’, which are integral to our learning and ethos.
  • The school rules and expectations are clear, fair and regularly taught as part of behaviour curriculum.
  • Pupils are always helped to distinguish right from wrong and make good choices, in the classroom, in playground and within the community.
  • Pupils are taught about their ‘Rights and Responsibilities’ as part of PSHE. We are also a UNICEF rights respecting school.
  • From year 9, pupils are taught about UK law & the justice system, the role of the Police and courts.
  • Pupils are encouraged to respect the law and West Lee enjoys visits from authorities such as the Police, Fire Service, Ambulance, etc. to help reinforce this message
  • Pupils are supported and taught to manage/regulate emotions and support strategies both within and outside of school.
  • We help pupils to understand the connection between actions and consequences and the rules that exist outside of school through regular opportunities to engage in their communities and through the PSHE curriculum.
  • We reinforce rules through awareness days/weeks e.g., anti-bullying week  

 

INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY

  • Within school, pupils are actively encouraged, and given the freedom to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment e.g, pupils choose clubs, work experience at KS4 and vocational learning options at KS5.
  • Pupils are supported to develop self-esteem and self-confidence and are encouraged to express themselves. This is supported by the schools relational approach to promoting positive behaviour, through varied enrichment opportunities and through our creative curriculum.
  • Pupils have key roles and responsibilities in school e.g school council representatives in each class and classroom helpers.  
  • Pupils encouraged to know and understand their rights and advised how to exercise these safely through the PSHE curriculum.
  • Pupils are supported to become as independent as possible. We provide opportunities to become independent travellers, practice independent living skills and open doors to the world of work.
  • The school promotes UNICEF rights of a child and has achieved bronze status.
  • Enterprise education supports pupils to take responsibility within a variety of roles including running WestCo (our healthy tuckshop at Primary).

 

MUTUAL RESPECT AND TOLERANCE OF THOSE WITH DIFFERENT FAITHS AND BELIEFS

  • Kindness, Inclusion and Community are core values of our school.  Pupils know and understand that we are kind, respectful and include everyone.
  • Pupils are helped to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures, religions and ways of life. This is explicitly taught through our Personal Development curriculum and RE.
  • It is reinforced through assemblies, celebrations and awareness days, as well as trips and visits to places of worship.
  • Staff and pupils are encouraged to challenge discriminatory behaviour.
  • Through the PSHE and RE curriculums, pupils are encouraged to discuss and respect differences between people such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, gender or sexuality and differences of family situations. 
  • We aim to celebrate differences through:
                      – Assemblies cover themes such as: friendships, helping others and celebrations from a range of faiths and world events. 
                      – Life and work curriculum encourages appreciation of local heritage.  
                      – PE curriculum and sporting activities helps to instil ‘fair play’ and engender a ’team spirit’.  
                      – National and international celebrations and commemorations e.g. Remembrance Day/Holocaust Day 
                      – Support global and local communities and pupils are actively involved in charitable events to support Red Nose Day/Comic Relief and Children in Need. 
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