British values are promoted in much of what we do, during school assemblies, Religious Education, and Personal, Social Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE) sessions. The values are also integral to our vision and values.

As well as actively promoting British values, the opposite also applies: we would actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British values, including ‘extremist’ views.

The British values we embrace are not unique to Britain.  We acknowledge that they differ in no way from values of the many countries and the cultural backgrounds represented by families.

Below are just a few examples of how we promote British values.  The first section is a general overview; the others are specific expectations set out by Ofsted.


Being part of Britain

As an Academy, we value and celebrate the diverse heritages of everybody at Wixams. Alongside this, we value and celebrate being part of Britain.  In general terms, this means that we celebrate traditions and customs in the course of the year; for example, Easter, Bonfire Night, and trips to the pantomime at Christmas.  We also value and remember national events such as Remembrance Day.

Students learn about being part of Britain from different perspectives:

Geography: our rivers, coasts and seaside holiday topics ensure that children have a better understanding of what Britain is, learning more about:

History: key moments in British history are studied in the topics such as ‘London’s burning’ and significant historical figures.  The actual topic depends on the interests of the children (and teacher), but might include inventions and discoveries, or medicine.


Democracy

Children, parents and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard at the Academy. Democracy is central to how we operate.

Our Academy Council: the election of the Academy Council members reflects our British electoral system and demonstrates democracy in action: candidates make speeches, pupils consider characteristics important for an elected representative, pupils vote in secret using ballot boxes etc. Made up of two representatives from each class, the Academy Council meets regularly to discuss issues raised by the different classes. The Council are actively involved in staff recruitment and in providing teachers with feedback.

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 opinions and voices heard. We encourage pupils to take ownership of not only their Academy but also of their own learning and progress.  This encourages a heightened sense of both personal and social responsibility and is demonstrated on a daily basis by our pupils.

Parents’ opinions are welcomed at the Academy through methods such as questionnaires, surveys at parents’ evenings, and opportunities to comment on newsletters.


Rules and Laws

The importance of rules and laws, whether they be those that govern our Academy or our country, are referred to and often reinforced, such as in assemblies and when reflecting on behaviour choices. At the start of the school year, each class discusses the school rules and class routines; principles that are clearly understood by all, and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment.

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. These values can be reinforced in different ways:


Individual Liberty

Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs.  Through the provision of a safe, supportive environment, we provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely; for example:

Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are taught how to exercise these safely, such as in our PSHCE lessons.


Mutual respect and tolerance

Wixams Academy serves an area which is culturally diverse and we are proud to promote and celebrate our different backgrounds and beliefs. Tolerance, politeness and mutual respect are at the heart of our aims and ethos.

Our central aim for our ‘…pupils by the time they leave us, to be fully qualified, motivated and personally equipped to succeed in life and contribute to a rapidly changing world’ drives us towards ensuring that our pupils are able to live and work alongside people from all backgrounds and cultures. This will be particularly necessary in a future where due to technological advances will make the ‘world a smaller place.’

Our pupils know and understand that respect is shown to everyone and to everything, whatever differences we may have. Children learn that their behaviour choices have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the Academy community are encouraged to treat each other with respect.

Specific examples of how we at Wixams Academy enhance pupils’ understanding and respect for different faiths and beliefs are:

Whilst instances contrary to our values are relatively rare, no school or academy can guarantee that there will never be instances which are contrary to our values. Each is treated seriously in line with our policies and expectations.