At The Heights we teach pupils about life in modern Britain, promoting and upholding its values, which are defined as:

• Democracy
• Rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect
• Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.

These values are taught explicitly through Personal, Social, Health and Emotional (PSHE), and Religious Education (RE). We also teach British Values
by planning and delivering a broad and balanced curriculum.

The school takes opportunities to actively promote British Values through reflection and whole school systems and structures such as electing and running a School and Eco Council. We also actively promote British Values through ensuring that our curriculum planning and delivery includes real opportunities for exploring these values.

At The Heights Primary School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy

Democracy is an important value at our school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard in different ways including through our School and Eco Council. The School and Eco Council meet with the Headteacher every term.

The children have worked together and with the staff to agree their classroom codes which link to our Jigsaw Charter. These codes are available in each classroom and are actively used by children and adults, influencing what is agreed acceptable behaviour.

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws and rules, whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days. Our system for behaviour is aligned to a therapeutic approach and in line with our Behaviour for Learning Policy. Our therapeutic approach encourages and promotes pro-social choices and where necessary introduces educational consequences and restorative justice when anti-social choices are made.

Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind 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, fire service etc. are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.

We are committed to praising children’s achievements, both in curriculum learning and in demonstrating our school values.

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 their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-safety teaching, Assemblies and PSHE lessons. Pupils are given the freedom to make choices e.g. signing up for extra-curricular clubs and choosing the level of challenge in some sessions and lessons.

Mutual Respect

Part of our school ethos and behaviour for learning policy are based around core values such as ‘respect’ and ‘responsibility’ and these values determine how we live as a community at The Heights. Reflection time is based on The Heights Core Values for Life which are central to how we expect everyone to go about their life at our school. All members of the school community, including children, adults and visitors, are challenged if they are disrespectful in any way. Values are very visible around the school and can be seen in posters, certificates and as part of our agreed codes.

Tolerance of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience and celebrate such diversity in our local community at the Heights Primary. Assemblies and discussions based on our Values for Life are followed up and supported by learning in RE and PSHE, and through themed weeks celebrating key festivals e.g. Diwali, Chinese New Year.