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British Values



At Highwoods Academy we aim for our children to become valuable and fully rounded members of society who treat others with respect and tolerance, regardless of background. We promote the basic British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs.



Democracy

We have a Junior Leadership Team which consists of two members from each class who are nominated and voted for. They meet regularly to discuss social and moral issues along with making decisions about some aspects of school life. Minutes are kept and the areas for discussion are then fed back to the rest of the class where they can all share their views and thoughts.

The Junior Leadership Team also has a budget to spend – this is decided upon by the Governing Body. The Junior Leadership Team also has the right to present to Governors if they request extra funding to support a major project.

Junior Leadership Team members are also actively involved in the appointment of school staff – this includes the Headteacher!

Each of the four house teams elect House Captains and Vice-Captains, these are nominated from Year 6 and voted for. They meet with the staff house leaders to discuss house events and plan activities for their respective houses. Each house also holds house assemblies to take views from house members.




The Rule of Law

The school has a set of Golden Rules which all children are to abide by.

In addition, at the beginning of the year, each class devises their own classroom rules.

Through Learning Challenge work children are taught about the laws of our country and the role of the Queen, the Prime Minister and members of parliament in creating and implementing those laws. We ensure that children understand that all of these laws are there to protect us and are essential for our well-being and safety.




Individual Liberty

Within our school children are encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment to enable them to do this. Through our PHSCE /SEAL SMSC sessions we discuss different choices that the children can make and encourage them to make the right choices. SMSC is woven throughtout the curriculum

We look at e-safety and the importance of keeping yourself safe by choosing not to share personal information and the implications of your ‘digital footprint’.




Mutual Respect

Our whole school ethos is built around mutual respect. We are an inclusive school where everyone is valued and has a contribution to make to the school. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. The children and staff often work with other schools in Doncaster and with the locality which develops their respect for others in the wider community.




Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

All different faiths and beliefs are explored and celebrated through assemblies, RE sessions and a variety of visitors into school. The children are taught that people have different faiths and beliefs and that these should be accepted. Children within our school with different faiths are encouraged to share their practices and special celebrations.

Our school has a partner school in China. Some of our staff have visited the school and the children enjoy learning about their way of life and their faiths and beliefs.