British Values
At Ridgeway Farm CE Academy we actively promote British Values, as defined under the Ofsted guidance 2014, through our school vision, ethos, agreed behaviour policy, curriculum and teaching: ‘ensure that they and the school promote tolerance of and respect for people of all faiths (or those of no faith), cultures and lifestyles; and support and help, through their words, actions and influence within the school and more widely in the community, to prepare children and young people positively for life in modern Britain’.
The government defines these values as:
- Democracy
- Rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of those of different faiths
At Ridgeway Farm CE Academy, we value the diverse and ethnic backgrounds of all pupils and families and undertake a variety of activities and lessons to celebrate these. We have found this approach to be enriching for all parties as it teaches tolerance and respect for the differences in our community and the wider world. Underpinning all of this are our Christian values and a range of curriculum topics which have strong links to the British Empire. We actively encourage children, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.
To promote these values:
- We have an elected school council where pupil’s voices are heard and pupils also have the opportunity to complete questionnaires. We have elected heads and deputies which represent and act as role models for the school.
- Our collective worship calendar actively promotes these values through the use of PSHE, RE and SEAL objectives. These values are a focus for each term and incorporated further into PSHE and RE lessons.
- 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, etc. are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message. In the broad and balanced curriculum that we deliver there is opportunity to discuss these.
- Pupils are actively encouraged and supported to make informed choices, to know and exercise their rights and personal freedom, but safely for example through our e-safety policy.
- Our positive behaviour policy encourages tolerance and mutual respect.
- We visit different places of worship and have visitors to school from other faiths. We have established close links with the local community and the local vicar leads worship on a weekly basis.
- As a whole school, we have celebrated British sport, with sports days and Commonwealth and Olympic based learning.
- We also celebrated special events for our Queen and Royal Family, with special assemblies, themed lessons and a whole school party.
As an important part of our integrated approach to Spiritual, Moral, Social & Cultural education at Ridgeway Farm CE Academy, we promote children’s understanding of British values by embedding them across the school curriculum so that they permeate children’s learning as well as influence the values and ethos of the school.
It is our aim to ensure that children at Ridgeway Farm CE Academy understand and actively participate in democracy, understand the difference between right and wrong, understand the rule of law, know their own personal rights and responsibilities and are mutually respectful and tolerant to those with different faiths and beliefs. At Ridgeway Farm we offer pupils a diverse curriculum which encourages pupils to reflect on their role in society in the following ways:
English
Many books studied will have themes covering tolerance, mutual respect and democracy. Lessons look at how these themes are presented and how characters embody these values. Poetry, songs and languages from other cultures are also examined. Lessons explore the meaning of concepts such as liberty, democracy and tolerance.
Religious education
Lessons reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others. Children have the opportunity to visit places of worship that are important to different to faiths. We actively promote diversity through celebrations of different faiths and cultures.
History and geography
Pupils analyse events in UK and world history where British values have been tested such as both World Wars. In geography, pupils look at how different cultures live and work throughout the world.
Assemblies
Each week, whole school, class and phase assemblies are held which explore our value of the term, an issue topical in the news or pertinent to each class and many of them directly support the promotion and understanding of British values.
PSHE
The children all follow the Jigsaw PSHE scheme in which the 5 values are embedded into the puzzle pieces.
Enrichment
Opportunities are provided for children to learn and understand more about the society in which they live through educational visits and from visitors coming to school. This includes a range of professionals such as police officers.