British Values
Promoting British Values at Wygate Park Academy
The DfE have recently reinforced the 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.”
At Wygate Park Academy these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy
Each year the children decide upon their class rules. All the children contribute to the drawing up of the rules. We have a school council which meets regularly to make decisions about the school. The council has its own budget and is genuinely able to effect change within the school. Every child on the student council is voted in by their class.
Children also have an annual questionnaire where they are able to put forward their views about the school.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Wygate Park Academy. Pupils are taught from an early age the rules of the school.
Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from our local M.P. and PCSOs reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty
At Wygate Park Academy, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our PSHE lessons. They also understand that with rights come responsibilities.
Mutual Respect
Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
At Wygate Park Academy we actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures. Religious Education lessons and PSHE lessons reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others. As a school we work closely with families from different faiths in order to ensure that all children are included.
The above values echo those of the school, namely: morality, thoughtfulness, cooperation, respect and perseverance. We refer to these in school as our ‘Values to Live By’.
