Promoting British values

At Northill CE Academy we promote ‘British Values’ through our Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education, which permeates through the school’s curriculum and supports the development of the ‘whole child’. We recognise that such development is most successful when those values and attitudes are promoted by all the staff and provide a model of behaviour for our pupils. This is endorsed through our commitment to a values driven education, where a series of predominantly Christian values permeate everything we say and do. British values have been identified as:

Democracy

The ability to communicate is the most important area of learning. At Northill we ensure that pupils are given a ‘voice’ to communicate. The method of using this ‘voice’ could be using words, objects, photographs, pictures, symbols, touch cues, eye pointing or body language. We empower our pupils by giving them opportunities to make choices about the things that they believe to be important. By valuing each ‘voice’ and by listening and responding to that voice through our active School Council, we demonstrate that we support democracy and liberty.

Rule of law

We involve pupils in setting codes of behaviour; helping pupils to make decisions and choices that are acceptable to the school community and society at large. Pupils are helped to learn to manage their behaviour and take responsibility for their actions. Staff are committed to providing a consistent and well established environment within the school and beyond. We help pupils to understand the connection between actions and consequences. This type of environment enables pupils to feel safe and secure; this in turn, promotes the optimum conditions for learning to take place.

Individual liberty

Pupils at Northill are encouraged to become good and valued citizens. We do this by supporting each pupil to become as independent as possible. We endeavour to demonstrate that everyone has rights. Some pupils will be able to take responsibility for particular roles and to understand that with certain rights comes a level of responsibility. Learning to do things independently is an important part of learning to understand yourself. We support others by participating in charitable events such as, Red Nose Day/Comic Relief, Children in Need and other National Charity days. At Northill we believe that by engendering a caring and helpful environment and by learning to be independent, we can boost and nurture a healthy self esteem.

Mutual Respect

We promote each pupil’s inclusion, where possible, in a range of activities, settings and locations. All pupils have opportunities to integrate with children through our federation with Edward Peake C of E (VC) Middle School. In addition, further events and circumstances are planned for pupils to go into the community to meet with a range of people in a variety of situations which include: sports events, community events and shared participation with other schools. It is important to facilitate opportunities for Northill to be part of the community as the pupils, families and staff have much to offer in the development of community cohesion.

Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs

Northill serves an increasingly multi-faith community where each person is respected and valued equally without regard to ability, gender, faith, heritage or race. Cultural appreciation and development forms part of our curriculum. We place great emphasis on providing opportunities to participate in events to broaden pupils’ experiences and awareness of others. Our daily acts of worship help all pupils to find out about themselves and others, by linking their lives to the communities in which they belong. The themes cover festivals from the Christian calendar and are based predominantly around our cycle of values. As a school, we take part in local sporting activities which helps to instil ‘fair play’ and engender a ’team spirit’. Although some pupils at Northill may find it difficult to articulate their feelings and concerns; staff are attuned to changes in demeanour and well-being that may indicate anxiety. If they are concerned about a pupil our accepted practice links to the Child Protection Policy which entrusts a duty of care to all staff to actively protect and promote the welfare of children. The staff work closely with parents, carers and other professionals to ensure that the pupils at Northill are happy, well cared for and enabled to learn the skills they need to live a fulfilling life as part of their community.