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Promoting British Values

'Aspiring to achieve, determined  to succeed.'
 

Vision:

At Sandy Hill Academy, we aim to ensure that all children leave their Primary education well equipped with an understanding of our countries Fundamental Values. We encourage children to have the courage and confidence to question, challenge and form opinions on current news stories and societal issues as well as educating them about the history of our country. We believe that they are the voices of the future and it is our responsibility, as educators, to provide them with the knowledge, skills and sense of self-worth to make positive changes for the future.

British Values Expectations:

Each year at Sandy Hill Academy, Fundamental British Values are taught implicitly and explicitly through the delivery of the Primary Curriculum. Notably, through RSHE lessons, children will be given the tools and knowledge to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence. Children are given opportunities to take part in a democracy through the process of electing school parliament and eco council representatives at the start of each academic year where they are taught about how democracy and laws work in Britain compared to other countries around the world. Children at Sandy Hill Academy develop their leadership and team- work skills daily, across the curriculum and are encouraged to celebrate peoples differences.

Cultural Capital

 There are many ways in which we develop children’s cultural capital at Sandy Hill Academy. We believe it is important for them to be exposed to a variety of experiences, both linked with the National Curriculum subjects, and the wider world in order to develop aspiration goals for their futures and succeed in life. Pupils will leave Sandy Hill as educated citizens with an appreciation of human creativity and achievement.  Please see the gallery of photos below demonstrating some of the ways in which we promote the importance of developing cultural capital through our curriculum. 

 

Cultural Capital
Nursery
In Nursery we experience British Values daily through our development within the Personal, Social and Emotional development and Understanding the World aspects of the EYFS curriculum. We have recently learnt about Remembrance Day and the children created some beautiful poppies of their own to remember the soldiers who fought for us in the War.
 
"Poppies grow in fields." Nursery child, aged 3.
"We learnt about Remembrance Day." Nursery child, aged 4.
Reception
Through our weekly SCARF sessions in Reception, we are learning to demonstrate respect and tolerance of our peers. We are always aiming to be Sandy Stars: we demonstrate our respect and good manners by taking in turns with our friends during PE. This respect extends to different religions we are learning about, including Hinduism and the festival of light, Diwali.  
 
We are introducing 'But Why?' philosophical thinking into the classroom to encourage our children's innate curiosity. We want to our children to voice their burning questions, and challenge them to question the world around them. Our environment will incorporate this thinking, alongside the introduction of curiosity cubes. The children will be equipped with the skills to articulate their reasoning, boosting their confidence and ability to discuss ideas to a high level. 
Year 1
In Year 1 we have discussed British Values when voting for our school parliament representatives, eco councillors and science ambassadors. We learned about Parliament week and Black history month.
 
"I liked it when we had to think of a question to ask Boris Johnson. He is our Prime Minister." Year 1, age 5.
 
"I like doing our school rules actions. They help me to remember what to do.” Year 1, age 5.
Year 2
In Year 2 we learnt about Remembrance Day.  We joined the 2 minute silence on Remembrance Day and spoke about why it was important to us. We learnt about the poppies on Flanders Field and created our own representations.
 
"Remembrance day is on 11th November and we have to do a 2 minute silence at 11 o'clock." Year 2 pupil, age 6.
 
"A bugle plays 'The Last Post' at the Cenotaph." Year 2 pupil, age 7.
Year 3
In Year 3, the children enjoyed the experience of voting for their class representatives for the eco and school council.  The elected members then proudly undertook their first role of responsibility  of helping to decorate the school Christmas tree. 
 
'I am so proud to be a school councillor, I will make sure I listen to everyone's ideas.'  Year 3 pupil, age 8. 
Year 4
In Year 4, we have studied many topics related to the world around us such as Black History Month where we studied Olive Morris, Parliament Week where we learnt all about the House of Commons and Remembrance day. Our School Parliament members and Eco Councillors have been very busy discussing and collecting ideas about the positive changes we can make to our school to make it more sustainable. We have even written emails to local MP about the COP26 climate change conference and took part in the WWF live lesson. 
 
We have created Remembrance Day poppy wreaths in art and read the book, Where the Poppies Now Grow in guided reading. 
Year 5
In Year 5 we have learnt about influential black musicians as part of Black History Month, written manifestos and voted for our School Parliament representatives and also written letters to Parliament in support of Surfers Against Sewage to create a plastic free Parliament.
 
"I enjoyed writing my persuasive letter to the Prime Minister about eliminating single use plastic in the UK Parliament." Year 5 pupil, aged 9.
Year 6
In Year 6, we have conducted class elections for Eco-council and school parliament members. We have enjoyed learning about Black History in RSHE as well as writing a letter to Gavin Williamson. 
 
'For example, children will learn better at school if they don't have the feeling of hunger bothering them all day' Year 6 pupil - taken from their letter to the MP.
 
We also enjoyed learning about World War 2 and The Blitz with the RAF Museum in London. We took part in an interactive video call: learning about the difficult lives Britons had to face during this time. 
Useful websites
British Values Curriculum Overview
British Values Skills Progression
Click play below to see some active British Values
School Parliament
 
Through the school council as its been named over many years, it has been decided to make the move to rename the council as ‘School Parliament’ to fit in closely with the ‘British Values’. Democracy is demonstrated from the outset as members are elected with fairness and respect through their manifestos put towards other class members in a voting system. When school parliament members have been elected it is through discussions that they will then take their ministry roles. The parliament ensures that they consistently relate to our school strapline ‘Aspiring to achieve, determined to succeed’. The parliament develops and demonstrates the skills and attitudes needed to ensure that they can make a positive impact on their own lives and others’ in modern Britain with a sense of community with our projects throughout the year.
Eco Council
 
At Sandy Hill Academy we highlight our commitment to ‘British Values’ through our passionate Eco Council. Democracy was demonstrated before the Eco Council even began their dedication to promoting an environmentally friendly school and learning environment as the members were elected with fairness and respect. Since being elected as Eco Council members, we have valued our responsibility to respect our school and local environment. We ensure that we consistently relate to our school strapline ‘Aspiring to achieve, determined to succeed’ to enhance and accomplish our Eco Council aims. As Eco Council members we develop and demonstrate the skills and attitudes needed to ensure that we participate fully in and contribute positively to our own and others’ lives in modern Britain. We celebrate diversity making us part of a stronger community to promote the appreciation of the world in which we live.

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