What are British Values?

Ofsted version DfE version
Democracy Respect for democracy and support for participation In the democracy
The rule of law Respect for the basis on which the law is made and applies in England
Individual liberty Support and respect for the liberties of all within the law
Mutual respect and understanding of those with different faiths and beliefs Respect for and understanding

British Values at Hemlington Hall Academy

At Hemlington Hall Academy we uphold and teach pupils about British Values, which are defined as:

  • Democracy
  • Rule of law
  • Individual Liberty
  • Mutual respect

Understanding of those of different faiths and beliefs

These values are taught explicitly through Personal, Social, Health and Emotional (PSHE), and religious education (RE). We also teach British Values through planning and delivering a broad and balanced curriculum including through the Jigsaw Program, context planning and specialist weeks, such as One World Week.

The school takes opportunities to actively promote British Values through collective worship and whole school systems and structures such as electing and running successful school and Eco councils and the Peer Mentor Program. We also actively promote British Values through ensuring that our curriculum planning and delivery include real opportunities for exploring these values.

Promoting British Values

Here at Hemlington Hall Academy, British Values are encapsulated within our mission statement, key values and objectives and through Academy’s ethos and curriculum.

Democracy

Children have many opportunities for the voices to be heard:

  • Help pupils to express their views
  • School council – the pupils’ voice
  • Sport council
  • Electing House Captains and Vice Captains
  • Key Stage 2 pupil consultations
  • Eco-warrior representatives from each class
  • Annual questionnaire – in which they are able to put forward their views about the school
  • Model how perceived injustice is managed through the restorative approach
  • Respect room (restorative approach)
  • Peer mentors / playground buddies

The rule of Law

School Rules – Clear and fair – reinforced throughout the school day by everyone, wherever they are in school.

Our system for behaviour such as ‘Rainbow’ in Early Years and early Key Stage 1 are aligned to an agreed set of rules and children are given verbal warnings. This is always set against the agreed school behaviour code. Children are asked to identify which aspect of the rules they have broken to ensure this connection is made and understood.

Expectations and behaviours are reinforced through… 

  • Behaviour policy
  • Help pupils to distinguish right from wrong
  • School assembly themes and visitors to assemblies
  • Pupils 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
  • Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message – Crucial crew
  • Good behaviour, attitude and work is encouraged – we have devised a reward system which is consistently followed throughout the school
  • We are committed to praising children’s efforts at all times. We endeavour to praise the children informally, individually, during group work, in front of the whole class and the whole school.
  • Children are rewarded not only for the achievement in curriculum areas, but for behaviour and general adherence to Hemlington Hall Academy’s policies
  • Celebration awards are given in the form of stickers, house points and certificates. Children’s achievements are also recognised during weekly celebration assemblies
  • Teach pupils aspects of both civil and criminal law and discuss how this might differ from some religious laws
  • Debating at Middlesbrough Town Hall
  • Local democracy
  • Drug awareness
  • Police and Emergency Services programmes and personalised support/action where needed
  • E-Safety

Individual Liberty

At Hemlington Hall Academy we…

  • Support pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence through broad and balanced curriculum
  • Actively encourage children to make the right choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment
  • Encourage pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour, as well as knowing their rights
  • Educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and 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 E-safety, P4C and PSHE lessons
  • Give pupils the freedom to make choices as and when appropriate, through choice of learning style, challenge or activity of participation in our numerous extra-curriculum clubs
  • Challenge stereotypes and encourage the children to stand up to injustice
  • Implement a strong anti-bullying culture and rigorous policy and BIG award

Mutual Respect

Mutual respect is at the heart of our ethos and core values and based around core Christian Values such as ‘respect’ and ‘responsibility’. 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 and it is actively promoted by all staff. We also implement a wider curriculum, including:

  • Forest schools
  • Promote respect for individual differences
  • Challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour
  • Build links with the wider community e.g. Stainton Care Home, Northumbrian water, Daisy Chain and local churches

Understanding of those of different faiths and beliefs

Hemlington Hall Academy is situated in an area which is not greatly culturally diverse; therefore we place great emphasis on promoting diversity with the children.

  • Cultural days/weeks
  • Celebration of the ‘European day of Languages’
  • School assemblies
  • RE Curriculum
  • PSHE Curriculum
  • Context Curriculum
  • Music Curriculum
  • Visits to places of worship
  • National Anti-Bullying week (friendship week)
  • Discuss differences between people such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, gender or sexuality and difference of family situations, such as looked-after children or young carers

At Hemlington Hall Academy we will actively challenge pupils, staff and parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.