Introduction
As part of our vision and commitment for excellence to enable all children to achieve their very best, we understand that character education is every bit as crucial to our pupils’ development as academic success. Our Vision Academy Learning Trust values of Equality, Respect, Responsibility and Opportunity are designed to actively promote and complement the five fundamental British values identified by the Department for Education.
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
We teach our pupils the importance of being kind, compassionate and respectful to everyone that they meet, irrespective of their faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class or any other perceived differences. Through our academy / school leadership, our pupils meet people from a diverse spectrum of backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures, and are encouraged to embrace all that life in modern Britain has to offer.
We also consider it essential for our staff to lead by example and exemplify and model. British values are therefore built into our staff induction processes and reiterated in all staff training exercises.
British values permeate our curriculum, ethos, and a wide range of activities, along with our commitment to providing opportunities for our pupils to develop a strong moral foundation and a drive to make a positive impact in their local community, Britain and beyond.
Democracy
Our pupils are introduced to the concept of “democracy” and “the majority vote” from a young age, participating in Pupil Council elections (where representatives are elected by way of democratic process) and engaging in a wide range of discussions concerning issues that directly affect them. Pupil voice is considered to be of utmost importance, and members of the Council are encouraged to vote on key issues that are likely to affect their classmates, as well as bringing their own proposals to staff for consideration.
Pupils who are appointed to leadership roles are taught how to effectively represent their peers and the importance of considering everybody’s viewpoint when making an informed decision and reaching a common consensus. Such pupils must demonstrate civic, moral and performance character in order to command the respect of – and act as an advocate for their peers.
Opportunities are also provided for pupils to become politically aware from a young age and participate in debates concerning age-appropriate issues, developing arguments for and against carefully chosen topics. In doing so, they learn how to put forward a strong case for causes they believe in (an essential part of the democratic process), as well as how to employ both facts and emotion in order to resonate with other people.
Democracy is also studied as part of Citizenship, PSHE, RE and History lessons, where clear contrasts are drawn between democratic and autocratic states, and the inextricable links between democracy, fairness, and equality. These issues are also explored in English Literature, where the importance of democracy and / or freedom of speech often crops up as an explicit or underlying theme in texts studied by pupils.
The Rule of Law
We believe it is important for pupils to understand why rules are in place, the purpose that they serve, and the consequences of breaking them. We are keen to create an environment where pupils are able to clearly distinguish between right and wrong; and do the right thing because they want to, not simply because they feel compelled to. A key part of achieving this is through helping pupils to understand that rules are essential in order to safeguard their wellbeing, protect the welfare of others, and ensure that everybody has the opportunity to fully achieve their potential. We also teach them to understand the relationship between cause and effect and the importance of taking responsibility for their own actions, which is vital to becoming a productive and upstanding member of society.
Pupils quickly grow to understand that the rules that govern their school are microcosms of the laws that govern the workplace and, ultimately, society. Clear correlations are drawn between school rules and the rules that pupils encounter in their day-to-day lives, so pupils are fully aware that there are actions and behaviours which are prohibited and punishable in all contexts.
In order to ensure that pupils respect our rules, we take care to apply them fairly and consistently so that boundaries and the repercussions of overstepping them – are clearly defined. We have an explicit expectations and rules along with robust Anti-Bullying, Attendance, and Behaviour for Learning Policies. Our high expectations with regard to behaviour are also regularly reinforced during assemblies and form time. Pupils are rewarded and celebrated for exemplary behaviour, attendance, and academic performance. Those who frequently break the rules, meanwhile, are subject to appropriate sanctions.
Individual Liberty
We are committed to keeping our pupils safe, happy, and well, and we empower them to make sensible and informed choices by providing guidance on a range of key topics, such as online safety, bullying, child sexual exploitation, physical and emotional abuse, radicalisation and extremism – all of which are built into the curriculum in an age-appropriate and sensitive manner. These issues are also explored in assemblies and during PSHE lessons.
Pupils are encouraged to know, understand, and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to recognise when these are being violated, and what to do / who to approach if they are concerned about this.
We also understand that our pupils must make their own choices and learn from their own mistakes as part of establishing their identity as individuals, and we encourage them to do so within the context of a supportive, positive, and non-judgmental environment, where developing their self-esteem and self-confidence is of primary importance. Pupils are encouraged to make independent choices, resist peer pressure, and take responsibility for their own actions.
All of our pupils are valued for their individual talents and contributions and are encouraged to pursue their specific areas of interest through a wide variety of enrichment, musical, sporting and leadership activities. We encourage pupils to see themselves as unique individuals, able to make a unique contribution to society, whilst also emphasising the importance of teamwork in achieving their goals.
Mutual Respect
Respect is one of our core VALT values, and we define this as simply, “treating others as we wish to be treated and be the best you can be”. This is evidenced in the charity work and community projects our pupils undertake for the benefit of people who are experiencing the effects of food poverty, loneliness, and isolation.
Within all our academies / schools, we have a zero-tolerance approach to bullying to ensure all our pupils feel safe and that we build a strong community for all of our pupils.
Pupils are encouraged to communicate openly and honestly, and to listen to – and respect – the views of others, even in instances where disagreements arise. We expect all pupils in leadership roles, as well as our staff members, to model exemplary behaviour and conduct themselves in a manner that commands the respect worthy of someone in a position of authority.
Assemblies and class work are designed to highlight the diverse nature of British society and the right for each person to be respected for their choices. We teach pupils that they should never judge a person, and encourage them to become compassionate, open minded and accepting.
Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs
We aim to promote not only tolerance, but also a genuine understanding of different faiths and beliefs by offering a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which all major religions of the world are studied and respected. We encourage all pupils to embrace the culturally diverse society in which they live. Our Religious Studies curriculum, is compulsory for all pupils and provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions, and cultures. Members of different faiths or religions are also invited to school to share their knowledge and enhance learning within assemblies and in class.
Conclusion
We encourage our pupils to live a life characterised and enriched by the trust and school values and we hope that these tenets will continue to inform their choices, actions, and behaviours long after they leave school, enabling them to make a positive impact on society.
