Promoting British Values at Enfield Academy of New Waltham
The DfE have reinforced the need to create and enforce clear and rigorous expectations 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 government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy: We listen to child and parent voice. Children and parents are regularly consulted regarding aspects of our school. Our Learning Council team are appointed by vote and recommendation and they make suggestions and share ideas on behalf of all children (including which charitable societies to fund raise for and ordering and choosing new equipment for all year groups).
The Rule of Law: We consistently reinforce our high expectations of children. We have whole school rules and behaviours, which we expect from all children. They are taught the value and reasons behind our expectations and that they are there to protect us, that everyone has responsibility and that there are consequences when rules are broken.
Individual Liberty: Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe, caring environment. From our youngest pupils we encourage our children to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, through our personal development curriculum. Whether it be through choice of challenge, plan do and review, making a choice to take a position of responsibility, how they record their work, selection of lunches or participation in our growing number of extra-curricular clubs - pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual Respect: Our school ethos and behaviour policy stems from core values such as ‘Respect’ and ‘Teamwork’ and children are encouraged in this by caring, sharing and listening to others. Adults help children understand how to respect by talking about how actions/words that can affect others.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs: This is achieved through activities aimed at developing our pupils' understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Assemblies and class work involve discussions and activities to celebrate our diverse community of different faiths and different cultural heritage.
By using age appropriate language we educate our children about prejudices and prejudice-based issues, including the protected characteristics, through our RE and PSHE curriculum. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning.
We aim that all learners will strive to achieve their potential through developing:
Spirituality = being caring, empathetic and open to moments of awe and wonder.
Teamwork = be willing to share knowledge, skills and experiences
Risk Taking = be prepared to have a go
Independence = be confident and flourish into life-long learners
Vision = be creative, imaginative and resourceful
Endeavour = be the very best version of ourselves that we can be.