British Values Statement

Promoting British Values

The DfE have reinforced 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.”

The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated this year. At Mill Hill Primary Academy these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

 

Democracy

We actively promote the democratic process through our school council, who often liaise with their peers to bring about changes they would like for the school. They consist of children from years 2 – 6 and they meet regularly to discuss ideas and issues. As a result of school council meetings, many play equipment has been purchased and there are regular votes on rewards and the dinner menu for example.

Class teachers regularly provide pupils with the opportunity to ‘vote’ and in addition to this, children complete an annual questionnaire twice a year where they are able to put forward their views about the school. The children also vote for our sports captains and vice captains. During election times, we talk about how the democratic process works as a country and the school is a polling station.

There is an annual trip to the Houses of Parliament for our year 6 students where they participate in workshops and often meet our local MP. We are also quite often visited by our local MP and Councillor.

KS2 children also participate in a workshop led by the “Education and Engagement Officer – West Midlands” who is a representative from Parliament. From a young age, our children are taught the importance of sharing their ideas with their peers to show how they are thinking or how they are feeling and learn to negotiate during their play.

The concepts of democracy are widely covered in the classroom, across the curriculum and as part of our weekly assemblies.

 

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Mill Hill Primary Academy. Pupils are taught from an early age the rules and expectations of the academy. They are also taught the values and reasons behind rules and how they govern and protect us. This includes the responsibilities that these involve and the consequences when laws are broken. We have very high expectations for our children and they and the staff follow our behaviour for learning policy consistently. This policy focusses on rewarding children that exhibit positive attitudes to school life and their learning. We have a wide variety of pupil leadership forums including the school council, a year 6 leadership team with a Head Boy/Girl, Deputy Head Boy/Girl, prefects and House Captains and Vice Captains. Such groups support the culture and values of the academy and act as role models to other children.

We work closely with our community and have regular visits from authorities such as our local PCSO and Fire Service. Our PHSE and weekly assembly programme also help to reinforce the message of “Rule of Law”

 

Individual Liberty

At Mill Hill Primary Academy, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As an academy we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. Pupils are given the freedom to make choices, for example, whether it is through choice of challenge, or simply by choosing to participate in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities. Our challenge homework projects allow children to partake in activities that interest them and present them in interesting ways.

 

Mutual Respect and Tolerance for those of Different Faith and Beliefs

Part of our academy ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around core values such as ‘Respect’, and pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. The school ethos and aims promote respect for others and is reiterated in our daily practices.

At Mill Hill Primary Academy, we actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures each half term. Religious Education lessons, PSHE lessons and assembles reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others. We have a growing number of religions and seventeen different spoken languages represented within our pupil cohort which enriches the experiences and knowledge of all children.

Work hard, dream big and never give up."

Promoting British Values

The DfE have reinforced 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.”

The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated this year. At Mill Hill Primary Academy these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

 

Democracy

We actively promote the democratic process through our school council, who often liaise with their peers to bring about changes they would like for the school. They consist of children from years 2 – 6 and they meet regularly to discuss ideas and issues. As a result of school council meetings, many play equipment has been purchased and there are regular votes on rewards and the dinner menu for example.

Class teachers regularly provide pupils with the opportunity to ‘vote’ and in addition to this, children complete an annual questionnaire twice a year where they are able to put forward their views about the school. The children also vote for our sports captains and vice captains. During election times, we talk about how the democratic process works as a country and the school is a polling station.

There is an annual trip to the Houses of Parliament for our year 6 students where they participate in workshops and often meet our local MP. We are also quite often visited by our local MP and Councillor.

KS2 children also participate in a workshop led by the “Education and Engagement Officer – West Midlands” who is a representative from Parliament. From a young age, our children are taught the importance of sharing their ideas with their peers to show how they are thinking or how they are feeling and learn to negotiate during their play.

The concepts of democracy are widely covered in the classroom, across the curriculum and as part of our weekly assemblies.

 

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Mill Hill Primary Academy. Pupils are taught from an early age the rules and expectations of the academy. They are also taught the values and reasons behind rules and how they govern and protect us. This includes the responsibilities that these involve and the consequences when laws are broken. We have very high expectations for our children and they and the staff follow our behaviour for learning policy consistently. This policy focusses on rewarding children that exhibit positive attitudes to school life and their learning. We have a wide variety of pupil leadership forums including the school council, a year 6 leadership team with a Head Boy/Girl, Deputy Head Boy/Girl, prefects and House Captains and Vice Captains. Such groups support the culture and values of the academy and act as role models to other children.

We work closely with our community and have regular visits from authorities such as our local PCSO and Fire Service. Our PHSE and weekly assembly programme also help to reinforce the message of “Rule of Law”

 

Individual Liberty

At Mill Hill Primary Academy, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As an academy we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. Pupils are given the freedom to make choices, for example, whether it is through choice of challenge, or simply by choosing to participate in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities. Our challenge homework projects allow children to partake in activities that interest them and present them in interesting ways.

 

Mutual Respect and Tolerance for those of Different Faith and Beliefs

Part of our academy ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around core values such as ‘Respect’, and pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. The school ethos and aims promote respect for others and is reiterated in our daily practices.

At Mill Hill Primary Academy, we actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures each half term. Religious Education lessons, PSHE lessons and assembles reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others. We have a growing number of religions and seventeen different spoken languages represented within our pupil cohort which enriches the experiences and knowledge of all children.