British Values at Albemarle
At Albemarle we consider diversity to be a strength of our school.
Our eight Core Values are at the heart of the schools ethos
and encapsulate British values.
To be a star, you must shine your own light,
follow your own path and
don’t worry about the darkness,
for that is when stars shine brightest
At Albemarle we consider diversity to be a strength of our school. Our eight Core Values are at the heart of the schools ethos and encapsulate British values.
We are compassionate.
We have a love for learning.
We aim for excellencein all we do.
We are independentin our learning and beyond.
We are responsible individuals.
We are articulate and polite.
We are reflective.
We have the courage to take risks.
Our whole school curriculum ignite the children’s curiosity and provide a platform for children to become articulate, gain confidence and demonstrate compassion in an ever changing world.
The Department for Education states that there is a need:
“To create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs”.
The Department for Education defines British Values as follows:
• Respect for democracy and support or participation in the democratic process
• Respect for the basis on which the law is made and applies in England
• Support for equality of opportunity for all
• Support and respect for the liberties of all within the law
• Respect for and tolerance of different faiths and religious and other beliefs.
Through our Core Values we reflect British values in all that we do. The staff, governors and children work together to provide a safe and caring environment and become respectful citizens who are motivated to make a positive difference to British society and to the wider world.
Through our curriculum we encourage our children to be curious, creative, open-minded individuals, respectful of themselves and of others in our school, our local community and the wider world.
At Albemarle, we actively promote British values in the following ways:
Democracy
(We are articulate andhave the courage to take risks)
• All children are encouraged to debate topics of interest, express their viewsand make a meaningful contribution to the running of the school on mattersthat directly involve pupils. Children also have the opportunity to havetheir voices heard through pupil questionnaires and pupil surveys.
• The class learning environment is explicitly democratic with high levels of respectshown by staff towards pupils, pupils towards staff and pupils towardspupils. In all classes children respect and value each other’s diverse opinions.
• The principle of democracy is explored in the curriculum as well as duringassemblies and special days.
• Our high expectations for behaviour encourage pupils to take responsibility,become independent and to learn how to become reflective and show compassion.
• Across the school pupils have active involvement in the selection of the Heads of School and School Council.
• Heads of School are elected members of the student body who are involvedin developing pupil led school projects and are a voice forthe pupils at Albemarle through the Class Council.
• Young Leaders are elected members of each class in Upper KS2. These pupils have termly training to engage with children from across the school and provide activities at play and lunch time.
Rule of Law
(We are responsibleand aim for excellence)
• Our school’s ‘Core Values’, are integral to our learning, the ethosand every day school life.
• School rules and expectations are clear, fair and consistently promoted.
• Pupils demonstrate a love for learning and are able to distinguish between right and wrong. Staff and children provide positive role models, in the classroom,during assemblies and in the playground.
• Pupils are encouraged to respect the law and across the school year, enjoy visits fromauthorities such as the Police, Fire Service, Ambulance, etc. to help reinforcethis message.
• The Behaviour and Anti-Bullying policies set out clear expectations and promote a love for learning. There is a zero tolerance baseline forany form of aggression, abuse or violence, which extends to pupils, staffand parents and carers.
Individual Liberty
(We have a love for learningand areindependent)
• Within school, pupils are actively encouraged, and given the freedom tomake choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.
• Pupils are supported to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour and ourpastoral support reinforces the importance of making the right choices.
• Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights andpersonal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, forexample through our e-safety teaching and PSHE lessons.
• Vulnerable pupils are protected and stereotypes challenged. A strong anti-bullyingculture is embedded in the school and any form of bullying ischallenged and addressed. The school governing body has taken an activerole in this and the results of a whole-school pupil survey were widelypublished. The school also operates a robust system of logging incidents.
• Pupils have key roles and responsibilities in school e.g. Heads of School, Young Leaders, School Council, Bike It Crew etc.
Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs (We are compassionateandreflective)
• Theschool Core Values provide an ethos in which the pupils contribute towards andunderstand.
• Pupils are encouraged to become articulate and demonstrate compassion towards and respect for, their ownand other cultures and ways of life.
• Staff and pupils are encouraged to challenge prejudicial or discriminatorybehaviour.
• Links and visits are promoted with local faith communities and places ofworship. E.g. Members of different faiths or religions are invited to school toshare their knowledge and enhance learning within assemblies and in class.
• Through the PSHE and RE curriculums pupils are encouraged to discuss andrespect differences between people, such as differences of faith, ethnicity,disability, gender or sexuality and differences of family situations.
• Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudiced-basedbullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE.
All members of Staff at Albemarle offer a rich and inclusive curriculum in which all major religions arestudied and respected. Thesecurriculum themes explicitly promote reflection on our Core Values and Britishvalues.
Updated November 2017