British Values

British Values are integral to everything we do at Newington Academy. - we ensure they link into our 'Jigsaw' Programme and underpin the way we think about life and how we treat others.

To develop links between the two areas we have created a Programme of Study which allows staff to form cohesive links between PSHE and British Values. Each heading is taught through a whole-school assembly and then followed up with a class circle as follows:

As part of British Values we also cover the age appropriate protected characteristics, set out by the equality act of 2010. As the British Values team we have put together resource packs to help teachers deliver engaging lessons.

Our promotion of British values in school!

The government set out their definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy. These were reinforced in September 2014 due to recent events. These new regulations will sit alongside the requirements of the Equalities Act, which also applies to all types of schools.

Schools will be expected to focus on, and be able to show, how our work with pupils is effective in embedding fundamental British values.

Promoting British values at Newington Academy: We agree with the Department for Education’s five-part definition of British values:

• democracy

• the rule of law

• individual liberty

• mutual respect

• tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

At Lift Newington, students will encounter these principles throughout everyday school life. Listed below are some examples of how we promote these values in our school community:

Democracy

Pupil voice is significant in regards to life at Lift Newington. Our pupil elected school council plays a strong role in our school. They are elected by their class peers and are involved in making Lift Newington a better place to learn. Pupils have a great amount of input in regards to what and how they learn, which promotes pupil voice. For example, the pupils decide as a class how they would like to learn certain skills in subjects and this is used to inform the teacher’s planning.

Pupil questionnaires and interviews are also conducted throughout the year. We know that the formation of the school council and the active participation of our pupils will give the children a better understanding of democracy in the future.

The Rule of Law

Our pupils will encounter rules and laws throughout their entire lives. We want our pupils to understand that whether these laws govern the class, the school, the neighbourhood or the country, they are set for good reasons and must be adhered to.

This understanding of the importance of rules will be consistently reinforced through assemblies and our curriculum. The involvement of our pupils in the creation of the school and class rules helps them to understand the reasons behind the rules and the consequences if they are broken. Through Circles, we allow opportunity to debate and discuss the reasons for laws so that children can recognise the importance of these for their own protection. Throughout the year we welcome visits from members of the wider community including police, PCSOs, the fire brigade and many more. We believe that clear explanations and real life stories emphasise the importance of the rule of law for our pupils.

Individual Liberty

We invest a great deal of time in creating a positive culture in our school, so that children are in a safe environment where choices and freedoms are encouraged. In lessons, children are trusted to challenge themselves especially through enriched maths tasks and challenges, which give them more freedom to determine their own learning. We offer a range of clubs which pupils have the freedom to choose from, based on their interests. Through our E-Safety, class circles and assemblies, we educate children on their rights and personal freedoms as well as supporting them in recognising how to exercise these freedoms safely. At Lift Newington we believe that valuing choice and freedom in daily school life will foster a value for individual liberty as the children grow older and embark upon their adult lives.

Mutual respect

Mutual respect is at the core of our school life. Students learn to treat each other and staff with great respect. This is evident when walking around Lift Newington and in the classrooms. Our Academy’s Core Purpose is based around the three principles “Ambition, Resilience and Respect” and the principle of respect is seen throughout the various relationships between students and staff.

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

At Lift Newington we offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which all major religions are studied and respected. At Lift Newington we strongly believe that tolerance is gained through knowledge and understanding. Through our curriculum and the routines of our daily school life, we strive to demonstrate tolerance and help children to become knowledgeable and understanding citizens who can build a better Britain for the future.

Recent projects related to British values:

Parliament Visit

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