The Department for Education define British values as having 5 different elements:

The promotion of British values and ethos is a key part of life at Rowena Academy, they are an integral and long standing element to our approach to teaching and learning and the wider school community.

Our ‘British Values Ambassadors’ are Year One children who work alongside our Personal Development Lead, Mrs Heath, to ensure British Values are embedded across our school and curriculum. They support Mrs Heath in delivering key assemblies, planning events linked to BV and supporting other children in school with their understanding of BV.

The Ambassadors are very proud of their important role and take pride in discussion British Values in depth and explaining the work we do on British Values throughout the academy and how this is embedded in all we do. The introduction of this role within our leadership team has raised the profile of British Values even higher across our academy.

The following information highlights just a few of the ways that these values form part of our every day school life.

Being part of Britain

At Rowena Academy we welcome and promote diverse heritage. Alongside this, we value and celebrate being part of Britain. In general terms, this means that we celebrate traditions and customs throughout the year such as Harvest festival during the Autumn term, and the Nativity at Christmas.

Also, children learn about being part of Britain from different specific perspectives. Two specific examples of when we teach about being part of Britain are: Geographically and Historically.

Democracy

Every member of the school community; children, parents, staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard.

An obvious example is our Pupil Leadership Team, including our Academy Council. The election of the Academy Council members reflects our British electoral system and demonstrates democracy in action. It is made up of two representatives from each class across school. The School Council meets regularly to discuss issues raised by the different classes.

Other examples of ‘pupil voice’ are:

Pupils are 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 school 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.

Pupils have the opportunity to discuss, debate and vote on relevant and important issues and topics through our use of Votes for Schools, and in other ways across our curriculum.

Rules and Laws

The importance of rules and laws, whether they be those that govern our school or our country, are referred to and reinforced often, such as in assemblies and when reflecting on behaviour choices. We have a set of school rules which are in place across school and all children are taught to value and uphold these rules. Classes also discuss and agree their class rules at the start of each academic year.

Pupils are taught to value and understand the reasons behind laws and rules; and that school rules are necessary in order to create a safe, stimulating learning environment. Children are taught that each individual has a responsibility to uphold these rules in order to create a harmonious place to learn and that those who do not uphold the rules would be subject to consequences, in the same way they would be in the wider community. However, we mainly reinforce these rules in a positive way though mature discussion and positive reinforcement and reward.

These values are reinforced in different ways:

We aim to provide children with an understanding of the importance of the Rule of law that will aid them in both in their life outside of school and in their future adult life.

Individual Liberty

We promote children’s freedom of choice and their right to hold and express views and beliefs in a respectfully and considered way. Through the provision of a safe, supportive environment and empowered education, we have boundaries in place that allow children to make choices safely. We offer a range of clubs which pupils have the freedom to choose from, based on their interests. At Rowena Academy we believe that valuing choice and freedom in daily school life will foster a value for individual liberty as the children embark upon their adult lives.

Mutual Respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

Mutual respect and community spirit is at the heart of our school ethos. At Rowena Academy we offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which different religions are studied and respected. We strongly believe that tolerance is gained through knowledge and understanding. Through our curriculum and the routines of our daily school life, we strive to demonstrate tolerance and help children to become knowledgeable and understanding citizens who can build a better Britain for the future.