Promoting British Values at Hove Juniors

Hove Juniors seeks to foster a warm, welcoming and respectful culture, built upon the foundations of its LEARN ethos, which allows us all to question and challenge discrimination and inequality, resolve conflict peacefully and work and learn in a safe environment.

Hove Junior School is committed to serving both its local and wider communities. It recognises the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom, and therefore those it serves. It also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.

The Local Authority, on behalf of the school, accepts admissions from all those entitled to an education under British law, including pupils of all faiths or none. The school follows the policy regarding Equalities and Diversity, which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar.

The Government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools.

These values are:-

Democracy: Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council and pupil questionnaires. We actively encourage them to voice their opinions in all learning situations. Children have the opportunities to vote on class councillors.

The Rule of Law: The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout the school day, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. 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 and Fire Service are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.

Individual Liberty: Within 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 choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-Safety and PSHCE lessons. Whether it is through choice of challenge, of how they record information, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect: Much of our school ethos and behaviour policy is based on our key LEARN principle of ‘Respect’, and pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. The LEARN statements are displayed around the school and in every classroom. They are revisited through PSHCE lessons and assemblies as well as through our behaviour policy.

Tolerance of those with 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 such diversity. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHCE. Members of different faiths or religions, both pupils and parents, are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. Through our ongoing Working with Others focus, we promote open and supportive relationships between all stakeholders.