Promoting British Values at Light Years School​

The DFE have recently reinforced the need "to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs".

​The Government set out is definition of British Values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated this year. At Light Years School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
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Democracy

Children at Light Years School will play an important role in school leadership. We have recently set up a school council which will meet regularly to discuss issues pertinent to school. The council represent the voice of pupils within Light Years School and can effect change within the school. Every child on the school council is voted in by their class. The council account for their actions and decisions by giving a verbal report to governors annually. Children will learn that the views of children are integral to our school life and curriculum, they have the responsibility to carry out their role with integrity. A pupil panel is always involved in the interview process for teachers.
 
The children regularly review and reflect on The Light Years Code and discuss what actions are acceptable throughout the school and within their classrooms. This enables the children to hold others to account for inappropriate actions, in direct contrast to rules which would be imposed on them.  This work is all based on the Light Years Code Rights, Respect and Responsibility agenda that underpins our school values.
 
Through our curriculum children are taught about, and encouraged to respect, public institutions and services.
 
Pupils are selected at random for pupil conferencing meetings with members of the senior leadership team to seek their views and opinions on a range of school and community issues.  All parents, carers and children can read class/school blogs and make comments on learning at Light Years School.
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The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country are consistently reinforced at Light Years School.
 
Pupils are taught from an early age the rules and values of the school through the Light Years Code, assemblies, school behaviour policy, home school agreement, e-safety talks and everyday life modelled by the staff. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message.
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Individual Liberty

At Light Years School pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand, and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-Safety and PHSE work.
 
Light Years School has a robust anti bullying culture and behaviour and safety policies in place.
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Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

​Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours influence their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect, and this is specifically reinforced through school systems.
 
Light Years School will provide opportunities for the children to visit places of significant cultural interest, places of worship and we actively encourage visitors from a range of communities and organisations into school. Resources linked to the six major religions practiced in Britain are used to develop children's understanding of different faiths.
 
At Light Years School, our ethos of inclusivity is reflected across all aspects of our curriculum, which includes modelling and encouraging opportunities for pupils to respectfully explore ‘our differences’. We have been able to embed the discussion and debate element of this through all subjects of the curriculum. This ensures children are taught discretely how to deal with people who have opposing views to them and to feel confident to state if they have opposing views to others in a respectful and curious manor.
 
The school promotes fundraising for an array of charities throughout the school year, student council members can nominate charities and make informed decisions about fundraising ideas.
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Our school rules and values are deeply embedded in all we do every day supporting the promotion of British Values
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The Light Years Code

​'We Use Kind Actions'

'We Use Kind Words'

​'We Are Safe'

​'We Are Good Listeners​'