British Values are taught through Me and My Community Curriculum Area which includes developing pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. This permeates through the whole curriculum and supports the development of the ‘whole child’. Values and attitudes are promoted by all the staff and provide a model of behaviour for our pupils. These include:
Democracy:
- The ability to communicate is the most important area of learning. At Battledown we ensure that pupils are given a ‘voice’ to communicate. The method of using this ‘voice’ could be using words, objects, photographs, pictures, symbols, touch cues, eye pointing, body language or an electronic communication aid.
- Pupils are empowered by giving them opportunities to make choices about the things that they believe to be important. Each ‘voice’ is valued and by listening and responding to the voice we demonstrate that we support democracy and liberty.
Rule of Law:
- Pupils are involved in setting codes of behaviour (classroom ethos); helping pupils to make decisions and choices that are acceptable to the school community and society at large.
- Pupils are helped to learn to manage their behaviour and take responsibility for their actions.
- Staff are committed to providing a consistent and predicable environment within the school and beyond. To support pupils to understand the connection between actions and consequences. This type of environment enables pupils to feel safe and secure; this in turn, promotes the optimum conditions for learning to take place.
Individual Liberty:
- Pupils at Battledown are encouraged to become good and valued citizens. Pupils are supported to become as independent as possible.
- At Battledown we endeavour to demonstrate that everyone has rights; this includes the right to say ‘No’ to ideas or activities that they do not want to take part in or make them feel uncomfortable. Some pupils will be able to take responsibility for roles and to understand that with certain rights comes a level of responsibility. Learning to do things independently is an important part of learning to understand yourself.
- Battledown supports others by participating in charitable events such as, Red Nose Day/Comic Relief, Children in Need and Jeans for Genes Day. At Battledown, we believe that by engendering a caring and helpful environment and by learning to be independent can boost and nurture a healthy self-esteem.
Mutual Respect:
- Battledown promotes inclusion, in a range of activities, settings and locations.
- Planned events and activities are organised for pupils to go into the community to meet with a range of people in a variety of situations which include sports events, community events and shared participation with other schools/colleges.
- It is important to facilitate opportunities for Battledown to be part of the community as the pupils, families and staff have much to offer in the development of community cohesion.
Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs:
- Battledown serves a multi-faith community where each person is respected and valued equally without regard to ability, gender, faith, heritage or race.
- Cultural appreciation and development forms part of our curriculum. A great emphasis is placed on providing opportunities to participate in events and celebrations which broaden all pupils’ experiences and awareness of others.
- Weekly assemblies help all pupils to find out about themselves and others, linking their lives to the communities to which they belong. They are also a celebration of pupil achievement.
- Pupils are encouraged to experience British culture and values through our curriculum themes. Pupils visit a wide range of local and national venues, including day trips.
- The staff work closely with parents, carers and other professionals to ensure that the pupils at Battledown are happy, well cared for and enabled to learn the skills they need to live a fulfilling life as part of their community.