British Values at VHA
At Viewley Hill we uphold and teach pupils about British Values defined as:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
These values are taught explicitly through Personal, Social, Health and Emotional Education (PSHE), and Religious Education (RE). We also teach British Values through planning and delivering a broad and balanced curriculum.
The academy takes opportunities to actively promote British Values through collective worship and whole school behaviour systems.
British values are encapsulated in our school vision and through our academy ethos and curriculum.
Democracy
Ethos in every classroom supports children expressing their preferences and making democratic decisions (which book to read, which group to work with, what grouping to choose, how to celebrate successes/rewards).
Pupil Voice surveys inform school improvement actions e.g. reading, attitudes to learning, safety, playground activities, early opening of school.
The Rule of Law
School rules – the Viewley Values – are clear and fair and are reinforced throughout the school day by everyone. The Viewley Values help children to distinguish right from wrong and to develop an understanding of consequences for their actions.
Children are taught the values and reasons behind the school rules; that they are to govern and protect everyone to ensure people are safe from hurt or harm. Children are taught that there are consequences when rules (laws) are broken.
There is a consistent behaviour code in school with a staged response to inappropriate behaviour. Children are asked to identify which aspect of the Viewley Values they have not upheld and explain how they can alter their actions to stay within our code of conduct.
Our curriculum teaches children about the importance of staying within agreed boundaries and the consequences of breaking these boundaries (Foundation Stage PSED Managing Feelings and Behaviour, history, RE and PSHE curriculum).
Visits from authorities such as the police and fire service promote an understanding of the job and role of those with responsibility in the community.
Individual Liberty
Our ethos supports children to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence and this is embedded in our school vision.
There is an expectation through our consistent behaviour code that children take responsibility for their behaviour as well as knowing their rights.
Children are given freedom to make choices in numerous aspects of daily school life e.g. choice of learning activity, method of recording, participation in extra-curricular activities.
Children are taught that they have a right to be free from victimisation through our restorative practice and expectations.
Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and taught how to exercise these safely, for example through our online work and PSHE lessons.
Children are taught about the importance of individual liberty and the impact of the loss of this liberty on communities, societies and countries through our history and RE curriculum. For example through the study of World War 2, the role of slavery in different cultures and the freedom to express personal beliefs and faith practices.
Children are taught to have compassion and consideration for people and people groups who suffer as a result of circumstances that affect their individual liberty through charitable fundraising for organisations such as Children in Need, Comic Relief, Daisy Chain.
Mutual Respect
Mutual respect is at the heart of all we do at Viewley Hill. Children learn that behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. There is an expectation that all members of the school community treat each other with respect and this is actively modelled by all adults in school.
Children are taught to celebrate the achievements of others and respect differences in talents, abilities and skills. There is an ethos of high praise in school where children’s efforts will be rewarded publicly in assemblies, by the giving of stickers or certificates and children will be sent to other staff in school for further praise and celebration.
Children are taught to identify and challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour through our curriculum and the ethos that underpins all we do.
Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
Our RE curriculum teaches children in school about the beliefs and practices of different faiths and emphasises the necessity to be accepting and open to systems and practices that are different to their own.
Children learn about different countries, cultures and traditions through our geography, history and PSHE curriculum. We recognise that many of our children do not travel far from Middlesbrough and so also seek to provide a window into the wider world through discussion of current affairs and news.
Our strong anti-bullying culture enforces an expectation that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of any differences in faith, ethnicity, gender, disability or orientation.
