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    • British Values and Protected Characteristics

    British Values 

    At Sparken Hill Academy, we develop and promote British Values throughout our school and within our curriculum.

    “We want every school to promote the basic British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs.” 

    Lord Nash

    Sparken Hill Academy

    British Values and Protected Characteristics

    How we prepare our children for life in modern Britain, and make sure everyone in our school community is treated fairly.

    Our mission statement

    Our school is committed to providing a safe, secure and stimulating environment. We value and promote shared personal achievement, high standards and respect for the individual. We believe that by working together we build an understanding of one another and develop the self-esteem of every individual.

    Our British values

    Our mission statement and school aims reflect these values, and the whole school works to uphold them every day.

    • Democracy
    • The rule of law
    • Individual liberty
    • Mutual respect
    • Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs

    Through them, our children develop:

    • An understanding of how citizens can influence decisions through the democratic process.
    • An understanding that the freedom to hold different faiths and beliefs is protected in law.
    • An acceptance that people with different faiths and beliefs, or none, should be respected and never discriminated against.
    • An understanding of why it matters to identify and challenge discrimination.

    Being part of Britain

    We value and celebrate the diverse heritages of everyone at Sparken Hill, and we celebrate being part of Britain. Throughout the year we mark traditions, customs and national events, and work with our wider community.

    • SeptemberRoald Dahl Day
    • AutumnHarvest Festival
    • AutumnMacmillan Coffee Morning
    • NovemberChildren in Need and Remembrance
    • DecemberChristmas pantomime
    • January / FebruaryChinese New Year
    • FebruarySafer Internet Day
    • All yearFestivals from the faiths and cultures of our community

    Geographically

    Topics on rivers, coasts and seaside holidays help children understand Britain’s physical geography, and where Britain sits in Europe and the wider world.

    Historically

    Children study key moments in British history, such as the Great Fire of London, and the significant people who shaped our country.

    How we live our values

    British values are an everyday part of school life at Sparken Hill. Under each value you’ll find where the evidence can be seen.

    • Democracy

      Everyone has a voice, and decisions are made fairly.

      Children, parents and staff all have many chances to be heard. Democracy is central to how we work.

      • School Council: one representative from each class, elected just like a real election. Candidates make speeches, pupils think about what makes a good representative, and votes are cast in secret in ballot boxes.
      • The Council meets regularly, has its own budget and makes real changes, from fundraising to choosing new equipment for the school grounds.
      • Pupils reflect on their learning and give feedback to teachers.
      • Parents share their views through questionnaires, surveys and coffee mornings.
      • Mission statement
      • School Council
      • Pupil voice
      • Parent surveys

    • The rule of law

      Rules and laws protect us, and apply to everyone.

      At the start of each year, every class talks about the school rules and class routines, so everyone can learn in a safe, calm place. Pupils learn why laws matter, how they protect us, and what happens when they are broken.

      • Our Golden Rules are displayed in every classroom, with playground and lunchtime rules on display too.
      • Visits from the police and fire service.
      • Cycling proficiency, teaching the rules of the road.
      • Learning about the rules of different faiths in RE, and crime and punishment in history.
      • Relationships and Behaviour Regulation Policy
      • Golden Rules
      • Playground Buddies
      • Assemblies

    • Individual liberty

      We can make our own choices, safely and responsibly.

      Alongside rules, we promote freedom of choice and the right to express views respectfully. A safe, supportive school gives children clear boundaries to make choices safely.

      • Choices about how to improve their own learning.
      • Choosing extra-curricular and lunchtime clubs, Golden Time activities and residential trips.
      • PSHE lessons that teach children to understand their rights and freedoms, and to use them safely.
      • Learning to manage feelings, resolve conflict fairly, and stand up for their own rights and the rights of others.
      • PSHE
      • Pupil roles
      • Clubs
      • Displays

    • Mutual respect

      We value each other and everyone’s gifts.

      We have high expectations of achievement and behaviour. Children and staff are polite and kind, and every member of our school family is valued equally.

      • We listen to each other, and conflict is dealt with calmly and fairly.
      • Weekly mentions assemblies celebrate achievements in and out of school.
      • Older pupils work alongside younger ones as Reading Buddies, Play Leaders and Playground Buddies, building respect across the school.
      • Mentions assemblies
      • Roles and responsibilities
      • Values displays

    • Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

      Respect for everyone and everything: our number one Golden Rule.

      Sparken Hill is proud to celebrate our different backgrounds and beliefs. Everyone has equal access to every part of school life, whatever their race, sex, religion or belief, ability, special educational need or any other protected characteristic.

      Children learn that their behaviour affects their own rights and the rights of others. The rare incidents that go against our values are always taken seriously and dealt with in line with our policies.

      • RE, following the Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire Agreed Syllabus, explores Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhi and non-religious worldviews.
      • PSHE, English, art and music develop an appreciation of cultures from around the world.
      • Assemblies, themed weeks and displays celebrate our different cultures.
      • Children are encouraged to share how they celebrate their own faith, and those with no faith are equally respected.
      • RE curriculum
      • PSHE
      • Assemblies
      • Themed weeks

    Pupils leading the way

    Older pupils take on real roles and responsibilities, giving them a voice, a sense of responsibility and the chance to help others.

    • School Council
    • Head Pupils
    • House Captains
    • Sports Ambassadors
    • Play Leaders
    • Playground Buddies
    • Reading Buddies

    Protected characteristics

    The Equality Act 2010 protects everyone in Britain from discrimination, harassment and victimisation. It names nine protected characteristics that we all have.

    • Age
    • Disability
    • Gender reassignment
    • Race
    • Religion or belief
    • Marriage or civil partnership
    • Sex
    • Sexual orientation
    • Pregnancy and maternity

    The Act protects people from discrimination

    • at work,
    • when using public services such as healthcare and education,
    • when using shops, restaurants, cinemas and other services,
    • when using transport,
    • when joining a club or association, and
    • when dealing with public bodies such as the local council.

    How we promote them at Sparken Hill

    • Our ethos, core values and Relationships and Behaviour Regulation Policy.
    • Adults who model respect in everything they do.
    • PSHE, RE and discussion across the curriculum.
    • Sport, art, culture, clubs and educational visits.
    • Visitors from outside agencies, bringing real-life learning.
    • Pupil voice, and working closely with parents and carers.
    • Links with local, national and international communities.

    Prevent: keeping children safe from extremism

    All schools have a legal duty, known as the Prevent duty, to help protect children from being drawn into extremism or terrorism. At Sparken Hill this is part of our everyday safeguarding. All staff are trained to recognise when a child may be vulnerable, and our Designated Safeguarding Leads act on any concern. The Principal is our Prevent lead.

    We help children to think critically, question what they see online, and understand that hatred of others has no place in our school or our community.

    Worried about a child at our school?

    Please speak to a Designated Safeguarding Lead straight away, or call the school office on 01909 534060.

    Worried about someone you know?

    Call the ACT Early Support Line, in confidence:

    0800 011 3764

    or visit actearly.uk. In an emergency, always call 999.

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