British Values
The Department for Education states that there is a 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.”
Lyndhurst aims to reflect British values in all that we do. We aim to nurture our children on their journey through life so they can grow into safe, caring, democratic, responsible and understanding adults who make a positive contribution to British society and beyond. We encourage our children to be unique, open-minded and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and of others in our school, our local community and the wider world.
At Lyndhurst we actively promote British values in the following ways:
Democracy
The promotion of democracy is extensive within the school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our Head Students, School Council and pupil questionnaires. Children in each class vote for the children they want to represent them on school Council. Children are consulted and contribute to the development of school policies, for example our bullying policy and the school improvement plan.
The Rule of Law
The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assembly times. 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. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.Our school rules Be Ready, Be Respectful, Be Safe are consistently taught, followed and rewarded in all we do and they underpin our approach and ethos.
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 young pupils to make choices, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our ‘Online safety’ and PSHE lessons. Pupils are given the freedom to make choices, for example signing up for extra-curricular clubs, and choosing the level of challenge in some lessons.
Mutual Respect
Our school has 3 values which like our rules underpin all we do at school. Support, Challenge, Inspire. These values are explore through everyday interactions in class and the playground and also through assembly time. As respect is one of our key values this is taught, discussed in lots of different ways and rewarded through the our certificates in celebration assemblies. aims are firmly based on the value of community and respect, which permeates all aspects of school life, including our school improvement plan and behaviour policy.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Assembly times and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. Children have a school visit to different places of worship during their time at Lyndhurst. We use opportunities such as The Olympics and World Cups to study other countries.