HAVELOCK SCHOOLS BRITISH VALUES

In June 2014, the Prime Minister emphasised the important role that British values can play in education. Further, how well a school promotes such values is an aspect of Ofsted’s inspection process.

At Havelock Schools, British values are promoted in much of what we do, during school assemblies, Religious Education, Philosophy 4 Children and Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) sessions. The values are also integral to our vision and values.

As well as actively promoting British values, the opposite also applies: we would actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British values, including ‘extremist’ views.

The British values we espouse are not unique to Britain. We acknowledge that they differ in no way from the values of the many countries and cultural backgrounds represented by families at Havelock Schools.

Below are just a few examples of how we promote British values. The first section is a general overview; the others are specific expectations set out by Ofsted.

Being part of Britain

As a school, we value and celebrate the diverse heritages of everybody. Alongside this, we value and celebrate being part of Britain. In general terms, this means that we celebrate traditions and customs in the course of the year; for example, Harvest Festival during the autumn term and trips to the pantomime at Christmas. We also value and celebrate national events, for example Remembrance Day in November.

Further, children learn about being part of Britain from different perspectives. Two specific examples of when we teach about being part of Britain are:

Geographically: Our rivers, mountains and Mediterranean holiday topics ensure that children have a better understanding of what Britain is, learning more about:

• its coasts, rivers and mountains
• where Britain is in relation to the rest of Europe and other countries in the world

Historically: Key moments in British history are studied in topics such as ‘The Great Fire of London’  and through significant historical figures such as Walter Tull, Charles Darwin, Alfred The Great and Mary Anning.

Democracy

Children, parents and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard at Havelock Schools. Democracy is central to how we operate.

An obvious example is our School Council. The election of the School Council members reflects our British electoral system and demonstrates democracy in action: candidates make speeches, pupils consider characteristics important for an elected representative, pupils vote in secret etc. Made up of two representatives from each class, the School Council meets regularly to discuss issues raised by the different classes. The council is able to effect change within the school. 

Other examples of ‘pupil voice’ are:

• The Sports Crew organise games for other children to play at lunchtimes
• The Eco-Committee includes children of all ages who make decisions on actions to take to improve our eco-friendly practices e.g recycling crisp packets

Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. We encourage pupils to take ownership of not only their school, but also of their own learning and progress. This encourages a heightened sense of both personal and social responsibility and is demonstrated on a daily basis by our pupils.

Parents’ opinions are welcomed at The Havelock Schools through methods such as questionnaires and online surveys. The Parent Consultative Group meets each term with a member of the Senior Leadership team to discuss any current issues or concerns within school.

Rules and Laws

We have Three simple responsibilities:

Be Ready

Be Respectful

Be Safe

The importance of rules and laws, whether they be those that govern our school or our country, are referred to and reinforced often, such as in assemblies and when reflecting on behaviour choices. At the start of the school year, each class discusses the school responsibilities and class routines, principles that are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment.

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. These values are reinforced in different ways:

• visits from authorities such as the police and fire service
• during Religious Education, when rules for particular faiths are thought about
• during other school subjects, where there is respect and appreciation for different rules

Individual Liberty

Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Through the provision of a safe, supportive environment, we provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely; for example:

• choices about what learning challenge or activity to complete
• choices about how they record their learning
• choices around the participation in extra-curricular activities

Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are taught how to exercise these safely, such as in our PSHE lessons.

Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

The Havelock Schools serve an area which is not very culturally diverse, but we are proud to promote and celebrate all different backgrounds and beliefs. Tolerance, politeness and mutual respect are at the heart of our aims and ethos. 

Our central aim to be “unlocking the door to lifelong learning – a place where everyone is inspired to reach their full potential “drives us towards ensuring that our pupils are able to live and work alongside people from all backgrounds and cultures. This will be particularly necessary in a future where technological advances will make the 'world a smaller place.'

Our pupils know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone and to everything, whatever differences we may have. Children learn that their behaviour choices have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community are encouraged to treat each other with respect.

Specific examples of how we at The Havelock Schools enhance pupils’ understanding and respect for different faiths and beliefs are:

• through Religious Education, PSHE and other lessons where we develop awareness and appreciation of other cultures
• in English through fiction and in art and music by considering cultures from other parts of the world
• celebrating cultural differences through assemblies, themed weeks and displays.

Whilst instances contrary to our values are relatively rare, no school can guarantee that there will never be instances which are contrary to our values. Each is treated seriously in line with our policies and expectations.