British Values Statement
Promoting British Values at Cedars Manor
The definition of British Values was set out by the government in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.
‘To create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote fundamental British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.’
Cedars Manor is a Rights Respecting School, through this we uphold and teach pupils about British Values. We also teach the British Values through Personal, Social, Health and Emotional (PHSE) and Religious Education (RE) as well as delivering a broad and balanced curriculum. Our PSHE Curriculum is based around the Jigsaw scheme of work.
The school takes opportunities to actively promote British Values through:
Assemblies
Pupil voice, including electing a school council
Curriculum
A positive behaviour policy that allows pupils to develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.
Democracy:
Democracy is an important value at our school. At Cedars, 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.
Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard in many ways and not least through our School Council. The elections of members of the School Council are based on pupil votes. Each class elects a member to represent their views.reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action.
As well as the School Council, pupils also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas through our Rights Respecting Ambassadors, Junior Travel Ambassadors, PE Leaders and Playground Friends.
The school has embedded a house system. Whilst choosing the names of the 4 houses a ballot was taken and all children voted for the name of their chosen house and this was reported back to them in Assembly. House Capatins and vice Captains were then appointed following a rigorous selection process.
Article 12 – You have the right to give your opinion, and for adults to listen and take it seriously.
Rule of Law:
At Cedars the pupils are taught the importance, value and the consequences if laws are broken. The importance of laws (whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country) are consistently reinforced. Pupils learn about consequences of actions and the difference between right and wrong.
Our school has embedded ‘The Cedars Way'. This is a series of rules that are referred to daily in our work. Each class also discusses and sets its own rules, a class charter, 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. Through this approach we consistently promote our high expectations of all at Cedars Manor School.
Article 40 – You have the right to legal help and fair treatment in the justice system that respects your rights.
Individual Liberty:
Pupils are actively encouraged to make choices at our school, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we provide boundaries for our children to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and planned curriculum. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-Safety teaching and PSHE lessons. Pupils are given the freedom to make choices in all aspects of school life.
Article 7 - You have the right to a name, and this should be officially recognised by the government. You have the right to a nationality.
Tolerance of those of different Faiths and Beliefs:
Our community is made up of people from a wide range of backgrounds. We aim to promote the understanding and appreciation of different faiths and cultures both within our school and the wider world. We actively promote courtesy and good manners towards all. We actively monitor and tackle all forms of bullying and harassment (This includes cyber bullying, prejudice-based bullying related to appearance, SEN (Special educational Needs), sex, race, religion and belief and disability).
Article 30 - You have the right to practice your own culture, language and religion
Mutual respect:
Mutual respect is at the heart of what we believe and is taught through:
Article 29 – Education helps you learn to live peacefully, protect the environment and respect other people.
At Cedars we encourage all pupils to understand that they have rights and responsibilities as citizens within Cedars Manor School and the wider community.