Promoting British Values at Acres Hill Community Primary School

At Acres Hill, we promote fundamental British values through our ethos and the curriculum, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. We reinforce and promote British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs as demonstrated below:

Democracy At Acres

Children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. We have a school council which meets regularly to discuss issues raised by pupils. Two council members for each year group are voted by each class. School Council is also involved in the recruitment of new staff. They also discuss rights and fundraising, and to present ideas at assemblies on whole school issues. Children are also often encouraged to choose different challenges in lessons, giving them additional choice and autonomy. 

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws is consistently reinforced throughout the school day. 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. Our home/school agreement sets out the contract between the school, the child and their parents. The class charter sets out expected behaviour and associated rights in each class. Circle time may be used as an opportunity to discuss difficult situations that benefit from whole class discussion. Keeping safe when using the internet is regularly discussed with children in computing lessons and in assemblies.

Individual Liberty

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for pupils to make choices, through provision of a safe environment and an empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely; for example in computing through our E-Safety policy. Acres pupils are given the freedom to make many choices, be this in class, through their choice of learning strategies (choice of challenge), in a wide range of extra-curricular activities, through fundraising or sporting opportunities.

Mutual Respect
Children learn that their behaviour has an effect on their own rights and those of others - respect in one of our Acres Attributes. There are many opportunities to develop SMSC across the curriculum for example through R.E., PSHE, PE, art, music, history, geography, science and English. Children are encouraged to work in collaboration as much as possible either in their class, with other year groups and sometimes with other schools in sport or at music festivals.
All members of the school community treat each other with respect. We publish all our Relationship and Behaviour policy on the website and parents, pupils and staff sign a home school agreement setting out our expectations. There may be assemblies themed around inspirational people who reflect this ethos. 

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
Acres Hill is a diverse community, so within our school we constantly promote tolerance of our communities, languages, faiths and beliefs.
Our Religious Education, Personal, Social, Health and Emotional curriculum and Rights Respecting School initiative reinforce our commitment towards a tolerant society. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. Children may visit places of worship that are important to different faiths.

We have recently introduced our Culture and Heritage Day to showcase our diversity and celebrate what makes each of us unique and special.
At Acres Hill we will actively challenge pupils, staff, parents or anyone in the school community expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including 'extremist' views.