British Values

British Values

Examples of how fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs, are actively promoted at Castle Academy include:

• Pupil Voice activities, including School Council, Sports Council and Eco Council.
• Personal, Social and Health Education ;
• Religious Education (RE) lessons;
• Healthy Schools initiatives;
• Discussion within curriculum subjects;
• After school clubs;
• Assemblies;
• Charity work;
• Weekly assembly linked to an element of British Values
• Themes days and weeks;
• Educational visits and other Learning Outside the Classroom;
• Sporting events.

Throughout the year, we celebrate being part of Britain by learning about events such as Remembrance Day. In addition, we also take part in key British celebrations such as Royal celebrations, such as the Platinum Jubilee, and the Olympics. For such events, we hold special celebrations within school and talk about how these relate to being British.

Remembrance Day – November 2022

Platinum Jubilee Celebrations- June 2022

At Castle Academy children and staff fundraise throughout the year for various charities such as Comic Relief, Sports Relief, Children in Need and The Royal British Legion. We see this as an important part of our social and environmental commitment to helping local, national and international charitable organisations.

At Castle Academy we promote British Values in the following ways:

Democracy:

Democracy is richly embedded within our school. Children, parents and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. Democracy is central to how our school operates.

Our children are listened to and are taught to listen carefully to others. Children are taught to respect the right individuals have, to have their voices and opinions heard. They are taught to discuss issues in a balanced and calm way and make a meaningful contribution to the running of the school on matters that directly involve them through regular Class Conference. Children also have the opportunity to have their voices heard through pupil questionnaires and pupil surveys.

Elections are held for the following committees:

• School Council (voted by peers)
• Sports Council (voted by peers)
• Eco Council (voted by peers)
• Reading Ambassadors (voted by class teachers)
• Head Boy & Head Girl (voted by all staff)

Our children learn about Democracy. The election of the school councillors reflects our British electoral system and demonstrates democracy in action. Each candidate delivers a speech to the class, class members consider characteristics important for an elected representative, members of the class then vote for whom they believe will deliver on the pledges.  School council is made up of two representatives from Year 1 to Year 6.  School councillors meet regularly, to discuss ideas put forward by their classes and how they can help to further improve their school.

The School Councils have been a driving force in raising funds which they have then used to effect change within the school. For example, purchasing road safety signage, playground equipment, development of an outdoor classroom and also organising a sponsored event which enable the school to purchase an onsite defibrillator.

Another example of ‘pupil voice’ is nominating the charities that will be supported over the academic year.

The principle of democracy is explored in the curriculum. The school behaviour and rewards policy involves rewards which pupils have discussed.

Children are encouraged to take ownership of not only their school but also of their own learning and progress. This encourages a sense of personal and social responsibility and is demonstrated on a daily basis by our children.

The Rule of Law:

At Castle Academy the importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. There are three key rules which underpin every aspect of school life:

• BE READY
• BE RESPECTFUL
• BE SAFE

Children 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. Our Children:

• understand the consequences of their behaviour and actions by acceptance of responsibility for their behaviour;
• they understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality that the school is situated and to society in general;
• have an interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues, and being able to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues;
• have a respect for other people, with particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010

Visits from authorities such as the Police; Fire Service etc. are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message. Pupils have also been involved in developing the ‘Castle Charter’ and as a result of their involvement, pupils demonstrate a sense of ownership of the rules.

Individual Liberty:

Alongside rules and laws, we actively encourage freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young children to make choices safely, through of provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. We provide boundaries for our children to make choices safely; such as:

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:

Although our school does not have great cultural diversity, we recognise our role in promoting and celebrating different backgrounds and beliefs. At Castle Academy we recognise the importance of Religious Education to develop pupil’s sense of value and identity allowing each child a sense of belonging within society and we follow the Doncaster Agreed Syllabus for RE.

Through Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development and Religious Education lessons, our children learn about different religions that exist within British society and they compare the similarities and differences between them. Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Sikhism are all covered across the Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and 2. Children are aware that all these religions are practised in Britain and they learn about these, upholding respect for the beliefs of each religion.

School assemblies reflect current festivals and national awareness weeks which are taking place across Britain, such as, World Religion Day are celebrated annually.

Mutual Respect: