Promoting Fundamental British Values.

In accordance with The Department for Education we aim to actively promote British values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. 

Pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law.

The Key Values are:

•    democracy
•    rule of law
•    individual liberty
•    mutual respect
•    tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs 

British Values Statement

At St Oswald's Church of England Academy we promote ‘British Values’ through our spiritual, moral, social and cultural education and our distinctive Christian ethos, which permeates through the schools’ curriculum and supports the development of the ‘whole child’. We recognise that such development is most successful when those values and attitudes are promoted by all the staff and Governors and provide a model of behaviour for our pupils.

‘British Values’ have been identified as:

Democracy

The ability to communicate is the most important area of learning. At St Oswald's Church of England Academy, we ensure that pupils are given a ‘voice’ to communicate. An understanding of democracy is developed through our school's Pupil Parliament. Elections are held at the start of the year when pupils share their manifesto. Following a vote, each class elects a Member of Parliament. Parliament meets once a month to bring to the table any issues or ideas from their constituents. In addition, they are consulted about their ideas for school improvement and in policy making.

We empower our pupils by giving them opportunities to make choices about the things that they believe to be important. By valuing each ‘voice’ and by listening and responding to that voice we demonstrate that we support democracy and liberty.

Rule of Law:

We involve pupils in setting codes of behaviour; helping pupils to make decisions and choices that are acceptable to the school community and society at large. Pupils are helped to learn to manage their behaviour and take responsibility for their actions. Staff are committed to providing a consistent and predictable environment within the school and beyond. We can help some pupils to understand the connection between actions and consequences. This type of environment enables pupils to feel safe and secure; this in turn, promotes the optimum conditions for learning to take place.

Individual Liberty:

Pupils are encouraged to become good and valued citizens. We do this by supporting each pupil to become as independent as possible. We endeavour to demonstrate that everyone has rights; this includes the right to say ‘No’ when appropriate. Some pupils will be able to take responsibility for particular roles and to understand that with certain rights comes a level of responsibility. Learning to do things independently is an important part of learning to understand yourself. We support others by participating in local community and national events and charitable events.

An understanding of civil liberty (freedom of speech, freedom of movement, freedom of assembly, freedom of association and freedom of religious worship) is developed through pupil voice, pupil choice and pupil influence in the curriculum and in all aspects of school life.

Mutual Respect:

We promote each pupil’s inclusion, where possible, in a range of activities and settings and locations. Events and circumstances are planned for pupils to go into the community to meet with a range of people in a variety of situations which include: sports events, community events and shared participation with other schools within and beyond our cluster.

An understanding of respect and tolerance is developed through our school ethos, our mission statement and our rights and responsibilities. Respect is one of our core values.

Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs:

We serve a community where each person is respected and valued equally. Cultural appreciation and development forms part of our curriculum. We place great emphasis on providing encounters and participation in events and celebrations to broaden all pupils’ experiences and awareness of others.

Our Worship helps all pupils to find out about themselves and others linking their lives to the communities in which they belong. The themes cover areas such as: friendships, helping others and celebrations from a range of faiths and world events.

Pupils are encouraged to experience British Culture through our curriculum themes. The staff work closely with parents, carers and other professionals to ensure that the pupils in school are happy, well cared for and enabled to learn the skills they need to live a fulfilling life as part of their community.