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Newton Burgoland Primary School

Newton Burgoland Primary School

Together We Can Achieve Excellence

Our Values, Aims and Ethos/ British values

You are encouraged to join our community and to enjoy our friendship and support. Our outstanding school has a lot to offer you and your family, visit us and see our values in action.

Values

Newton Burgoland Primary School is a traditional school. We place a high premium on good manners, good behaviour and learning together as we know our parents do.

"The school motto of ‘Together we can achieve excellence’ has been achieved not only academically but in all aspects of personal development, which are now outstanding."

Ofsted 2011

Promoting British Values

The values of Newton Burgoland Primary School reflect British values.

We promote in work and play:

  • Diversity
  • Honesty
  • Friendship and Kindness
  • Democracy and rules
  • Equality
  • Freedom of  choice with an understanding of consequence
  • Effort and diligence

We do not tolerate bullying, unkindness, extremism or racism. We recognise that both victim and perpetrator will need support should an incident occur however, our policy of ensuring that all learners are able to work together purposefully helps to prevent bullying. We are proud holders of a gold anti-bullying award.

Why should schools teach British Values?

Schools in the UK have a responsibility to promote British Values, as outlined in the Department for Education's British Values guidance (last updated in 2014). This means that teaching and learning about British values should be an integral part of the school experience, and should be reflected in all aspects of school life.

For schools in the UK, British Values refers to a set of values that the government believes are important for children to learn. They include respect for the rule of law, individual liberty, democracy, and mutual respect for and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. The promotion of these values in schools is part of the government's efforts to create a more cohesive and integrated society, as well as a way to protect children from extremist ideologies.

The promotion of British Values began after the terrorist attacks in London in 2005. After the attacks, the government introduced a number of policies and initiatives aimed at promoting British values in schools, including the PREVENT program, designed to prevent radicalization and extremism.

 

Intentions:

  • To enable pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence;
  • To enable pupils to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of Britain;
  • To encourage pupils to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and to society more widely;
  • To enable pupils to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in Britain;
  • To further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling pupils to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures;
  • To encourage respect for other people;
  • To encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in Britain.

Books for topics:

 

More about British values- how are they promoted?

In our school we actively promote British Values in order to prepare all children to be responsible and respectful members of the community. Examples of this are explained below.

Democracy 

Democracy is the foundation of the UK's political system. This value is based on the idea that everyone should have an equal say in how their country is run, and that the government should be accountable to the people. All things voting, elections and referendums come in to play here.

Pupils have the opportunity to share their views, opinions and suggestions through the election of school councillors and making contributions within the curriculum. Pupils contribute to school evaluation and development through questionnaires.

The Rule of Law 

Respect for the rule of law means that everyone in society is treated equally and fairly, and that everyone follows the same rules and laws. This value promotes a sense of order and stability in society, and helps to prevent crime and other harmful behaviors. The UK justice system is a large part of this, including laws, police officers and courts.

  Rules are discussed both in class and assemblies and the concept of fair play is promoted in PE lessons. Children understand that they have a responsibility to follow the rules and that there are consequences when rules are broken.

Individual Liberty -

Individual liberty allows people to pursue their own goals and interests, providing they do not harm others. This British value is based on the idea that people should be free to make their own decisions and choices within the bounds of the law, of course.

Children are encouraged to have high aspirations, to make choices and to participate fully in the opportunities that our school offers. We strive to ensure that children can enjoy and achieve in all aspects of school life regardless of any barriers that they may face. Children are regularly taught strategies to keep themselves safe.

 

There is some confusion around the fourth British Value, which is often split into two: (1) Mutual respect and (2) tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. Whether you view these as one whole, or as two individual values, they both promote understanding and acceptance of people from different backgrounds and with different beliefs, and help to create a more inclusive and diverse society.

Mutual Respect - To ensure that children understand how to show respect for themselves, for others, for the rules of the school and society, respect is one of our core values. It is important that our children show respect for all members of their community, including these who are different to them in terms of age, needs, beliefs, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and culture. Children are introduced to role models from a range of backgrounds.

Tolerance - In our school children learn about and celebrate different cultures and faiths through Festivals and Celebrations i.e Diwali, Assemblies and RE lessons. Opportunites to learn about the lives and beliefs of other cultures and faiths are taught through the whole school curriculum. Assemblies and Anti-bullying week are opportunities to address prejudice and its effects on society and individuals.

Everyone is Welcome

We use a variety of texts to explore, recognise and celebrate diversity, promoting respect and care for all.

The Equality Act became law in 2010. It covers everyone in Britain and protects people from discrimination, harassment and victimisation. Everyone in Britain is protected. This is because the Equality Act protects people against discrimination because of the protected characteristics that we all have.

Our intention

We work to ensure that our children understand that:

  • There are no outsiders at Newton Burgoland Primary
  • Everyone is different
  • We celebrate our differences
  • We are all equal in our differences

Assemblies and Values

We celebrate our school motto and values in assemblies and each week select a British Value that aligns with these. We link the British Values to the themes that we discuss and reflect upon every week. 

  • Monday: Stories from the Bible
  • Tuesday: keystsge assembly
  • Wednesday: Super Heroes 
  • Thursday: Singing
  • Friday: What have you done this week to show that you Noticeably Newton?

 

Aims for all pupils

Newton Burgoland Primary School is an inclusive community which strives for and achieves excellence and enjoyment in all areas of school life.

By working together with parents and the wider community we:

  • Maximise progress for all children across a broad and balanced curriculum
  • Raise levels of children’s attainment continuously
  • Celebrate the progress and talents of all children
  • Develop all children’s ability to make responsible, thoughtful choices in a secure environment
  • Develop all pupils’ curiosity, independence, ability to work with others, tolerance and sense of justice
  • Develop all pupils’ ability to engage with learning and to persevere
  • Prepare all our pupils for life and learning in the 21st century
  • Develop ‘e-confidence’ alongside ‘e-intelligent’ attitudes towards technology
  • Foster caring relationships

Strategic Aims for the whole school

 
Committed to being a local centre of excellence for primary education by providing an appropriate and evolving curriculum meeting the needs of pupils within this community, through professional development of staff, collaboration with other educationalists and sound governance.
 

Together we achieve excellence!

 

 

Ethos

Visitors arriving at our school tell us it feels like coming home; it feels safe like a bear hug from mum or dad; it feels like being snuggled up in a cosy blanket- this is our ethos:

Together we achieve Excellence

Everyone welcome    everyone special    everyone a winner

 

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