Promoting British Values

 

At Nash Mills, we have always placed great emphasis on values. The Department for Education announced the need "to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation 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."

 

At Nash Mills, these values are reinforced regularly in the following ways:

 

• Democracy -older pupils are elected for places on the various School Councils. School Councillors report back to their peers and this, coupled with the annual pupil surveys for Y2-Y6, ensure that children's voices are heard. Year 6 children write application letters for ambassadorial roles or the positions of Head Girl, Head Boy, deputy positions for each and House Captains. In addition, Year 6 pupils visit the Houses of Parliament and consider its traditions. Our local MP, Mike Penning, visits and talks about his role and responsibilities.

 

• The Rule of Law - rules are reinforced throughout the usual school day and pupils are aware of the consequences of not complying with the expectations as set out in our Behaviour Policy. PSHE lessons and assemblies are used to explore rules and why these are important, with emphasis placed on the need for everyone to show responsibility in order to make sure that all are protected. Visitors, such as our local PCSOs, help to reinforce this message and Year 5 and 6 pupils have an annual visit from a magistrate to explore themes such as legal ages of responsibility and how the magistrate system works. Pupils enact scenarios in which children are involved in criminal activities such as theft and  vandalism.

 

• Individual Liberty -Pupils are encouraged to make choices within the secure environment of Nash Mills. We educate and provide boundaries for pupils to make choices safely. Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms through PSHE lessons and regular reminders about e-safety; indeed, older pupils often plan and lead assemblies on these themes. Pupils are encouraged to challenge themselves in their learning, select their preferred lunch and are asked for their opinions in class and in assemblies. They are also encouraged to develop resilience and to speak up if they are unhappy about how they are being treated by a peer; adults support as necessary.

 

• Mutual Respect - Respect is one of two 'buzzwords' at Nash Mills. It is a common value that is explored regularly in assemblies and we expect all members of the school community, staff and pupils alike, to demonstrate this. Pupils know that they should show respect by listening to each other and trying to see things from the viewpoints of others. Adults provide effective role models as do older pupils in their ambassadorial and School Council roles.

 

• Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs - this relates to respect and is also reflected in our other 'buzzword' - family. Although Nash Mills is a Church of England School, we aim to provide high quality RE and in these lessons, children are taught about the similarities and differences between those of different faiths and we encourage children to ask questions. Many children have no religious belief, but the sense of 'family' is very important to us and pupils are taught the importance of showing due tolerance and respect towards one another.