British values

British Values

National Government reinforces the importance of schools teaching key British values. We view these values not just as British but as 'human values' and we reinforce them regularly in a variety of ways, alongside our key school values - Creative, Encouraging, Aspiring and a togetherness we call 'We are ALL Coombe Hill'.

Democracy

Pupils are elected to our school council which meets regularly to discuss issues raised in class council meetings. The council raises its own budget and is able to genuinely effect change within the school. Council members and members of our Green Team for each year group are voted in by their class. Members of the pupils’ council help interview all candidates for jobs in the school and their opinions are important.

At the start of each academic year, we also elect a Head Boy and Head Girl each year. These children present to the whole school about why they believe that they would be the best person for the job and an election takes place that same day.

Children are encouraged to take part in school versions of national democratic events such as School Elections at election times as well as referenda.

Children complete an annual questionnaire with which they are able to put forward their views about the school and pupils contribute to the termly reviews held by each Year team.

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 regular school days, 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. These values are reinforced in PSHE lessons and in addition, our Year 6 pupils all attend the Kingston’s Junior Citizen’s Day events.

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 advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it be through choice of learning challenges in class or the head teacher’s half term challenges, or through participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices and to reflect on the choices they have made.

Mutual Respect

Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect – this key rule is reinforced in every class room and applies to staff, pupils and parents or other volunteers.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

We are very proud of the diverse nature of our school. Assemblies regularly address this issue either directly or through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures. Our RE and PSHE teaching reinforce this too. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. The school celebrates the important festivals of its pupils including Eid, Diwali and Christmas, which we celebrate through our Christmas Carol Concert and Christmas production. Our International Evening is another way in which we proudly celebrate the different cultures in our school.

At Coombe Hill, we will actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to these fundamental British and Human Values, including any who express ‘extremist’ views, which promote intolerance or harm to others.