BRITISH VALUES
Promoting British Values at Park Community Academy:
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’.
The Government set out its definition of British Values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy and these values were reiterated by the Prime Minister in 2014.
At Park Community Academy these values are reinforced in the following ways:
As a Special School we actively promote values, virtues and ethics that shape our pupils’ character and moral perspective. We believe through the teaching of our school curriculum, we promote tolerance, acceptance, peace, being non-judgemental, humility, justice, the dignity of each human being, forgiveness, generosity, fairness, discipline and hope.
Democracy
Democracy is embedded at PCA. Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their own opinions and voices heard.
Pupils also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas through our School Council and pupil questionnaires. Elections for the School Council are based on pupil votes, reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the school or the country are consistently reinforced. Our school rules are deeply embedded in our work every day. As a school, we discuss and display the ‘The PCA Way’ which are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every pupil is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment. Our 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.
Details about school rewards and sanctions, choice and consequences are explained in PCA’s Behaviour Policy.
Individual Liberty
Within PCA, 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 our pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment, an empowering education and a curriculum based on our values and ethos. Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely – examples can be clearly evidenced in our E Safety/PSHE lessons and policy.
Mutual Respect
Being respectful is one of the core values in The PCA Way. The pupils are supported in their knowledge and understanding of what is expected and it is imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have however big or small. The core value of respect at Park Community Academy underpins our work every day both in and out of the classroom.
Tolerance of those with Different Faiths and Beliefs
Our core value of respect encourages tolerance of those who have different faiths and beliefs. Understanding about different faiths is taught through our RE curriculum which enhances our pupils’ knowledge and demonstrates the importance of tolerance and respect. Visitors from various faiths are welcomed into school to talk to our pupils about their beliefs and our pupils visit different places of worship.
E Safety is also enhanced in this area as pupils are taught to respect others with different faiths and beliefs online too. Regular E-Safety messages are shared with pupils and parents and the wider community on a weekly basis through our Newsletters and website.
