Our Values Statement
The Department for Education requires schools “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation 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.”
We are committed to promoting fundamental British values through a wide range of explicit and implicit educational activities. British values are promoted through our social, moral, spiritual, and cultural, (SMSC) education which permeates through the schools’ assemblies, curriculum, ethos, student voice, teaching and learning and our commitment to inclusion.
Our approach to promoting fundamental British values follows equal opportunities guidance which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar.
Promoting British values at Silverwood School
Promoting fundamental ‘British values’ At Silverwood we use a range of strategies within the curriculum and beyond to promote SMSC and fundamental British values. Our school values of co-operation, respect, perseverance, kindness, honesty, and courage demonstrate our commitment to promoting fundamental British values that are visible throughout the school environment and are promoted in everything we do.
There is also an expectation that all teachers develop opportunities for the effective promotion of a pupil’s SMSC education in lessons. The examples that follow show some of the many ways Silverwood seeks to embed British values.
Democracy
Pupils have an opportunity to develop and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of democracy through:
Communication - we ensure that pupils are given a ‘voice’ to communicate. This ‘voice’ could be using words, symbols, signing, body language or objects.
A school council that meets regularly to provide a meaningful way in which pupils can voice their own opinions and have their views considered.
Various opportunities to participate in roles of responsibility within the school.
A curriculum that develops an understanding of British life and preparation for modern British life.
Individual Liberty
Pupils have an opportunity to develop and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of individual liberty through:
Pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in safe and supportive environment.
The school’s Behaviour for Learning policy, including a clear code of conduct and expectations for all pupils.
A system of pastoral care, guidance and support.
A robust anti-bullying culture.
A PSHE/Life Skills curriculum educates and provide boundaries for pupils to make choices safely, including those relating to e-safety.
Rule of Law
Pupils have an opportunity to develop and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the rule of law through:
Taking responsibility for their actions, both individually and as a group.
Staff providing a consistent approach that helps pupils understand the connection between actions and consequences.
The school’s Behaviour for Learning policy.
Agreeing class rules and expectations.
A robust anti-bullying culture.
A system of rewards.
The PSHE curriculum.
Values-based school assemblies.
Mutual Respect
Pupils have opportunities to develop and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of mutual respect through:
Working with a range of people where interactions with others are always positively promoted. This may include working with pupils from other schools, inclusion links, specialist teachers etc.
A teaching and learning environment based on mutual respect.
A robust anti-bullying culture.
A system of rewards and recognition.
A curriculum where pupils have an opportunity to express their views in a safe environment where their observations and reflections are respected.
Values-based education.
Tolerance of different beliefs, cultures and faiths
Pupils have an opportunity to develop and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the tolerance of different beliefs, cultures and faiths through:
The school and local community where each person is respected and valued equally without regard to ability, gender, faith, or race.
Placing great emphasis on providing encounters and participation in events and celebrations to broaden all pupils’ experience and awareness of others.
Spiritual development through our PSHE and citizenship curriculum, value-based assemblies.
Promoting independent thinking which helps pupils to become more tolerant of others’ views.
Actively encouraging pupils to share their faith and beliefs within the school and celebrate festivities throughout the year.
The Religious Education curriculum.
