At Ravenswood School we promote British Values through our spiritual, moral, social and cultural education which permeates through the school’s curriculum and supports the development of the ‘whole child’. Our key values; Safe, Ready and Respectful, support British values and are supported and modelled by all staff as a model of behaviour for our pupils.
British values have been identified as:
• Democracy
• Rule of law
• Individual Liberty
• Mutual respect
• Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.
Democracy
• The ability to communicate is the most important area of learning. At Ravenswood we ensure that all pupils are given a ‘voice’ to communicate. This is through a total communication approach (e.g. words, objects, photos, symbols, eye pointing, body language, electronic communication aid).
• We provide Time to Talk sessions three times a week where pupils gain experiences discussing a range of topics of interest, where pupils are taught how to communicate effectively in social situations and learn to respect each other’s voice.
• We empower our pupils by giving them the opportunity to make choices about what is important to them e.g. topic choices, options, lunchtime clubs etc. By valuing each ‘voice’ and by listening and responding to that voice we demonstrate that we support democracy and liberty.
• We run two School Council groups; one for representatives from Post 16 and one for representatives from Primary and Secondary. Each class elects a representative to attend; they meet regularly with Governors and make suggestions about the running of the school. They raise any worries or concerns. Primary sends one rep for the department.
• We have two School Ambassadors who are available to all pupils, so that they can come and speak with them with issues or concerns. These Ambassadors meet regularly with the Headteacher.
Rule of law
• The school rules are displayed in all classes and corporate areas around the school. Staff regularly refer back to these when rewarding pupils for good behaviour or for reminding of the consequences of breaking the rules.
• We involve pupils in setting class rules / expectations around the use of the traffic lights system; helping pupils to make decisions and choices that are acceptable to the school community and the wider society.
• Staff are committed to providing a consistent and predictable school environment within the school and beyond. We can help some pupils to understand the connection between actions and consequences. This type of environment enables pupils to feel safe and secure; this in turn promotes the optimum conditions for learning to take place.
Individual Liberty
• Pupils at Ravenswood are encouraged to become good and valued citizens. This is achieved by supporting every pupil to become as independent as possible.
• We endeavour to demonstrate that everyone has rights; this includes the right to say ‘No’ to ideas or activities that they do not want to take part in or that make them feel uncomfortable. Some pupils will be able to take responsibility for particular roles e.g. School Council or School Ambassadors, and understand that with certain rights come a level of responsibility. Learning to do things independently is an important part of learning to understand yourself.
• We support others through participating in charitable events such as the Shoebox appeal, Food bank projects and sponsored intra school activities. We believe that providing a caring and helpful environment and learning to be independent can help to nurture a healthy self esteem.
Mutual Respect
• We promote each pupil’s inclusion, wherever possible in a range of activities, settings and locations. This is promoted through our school rule to be ‘Respectful’.
• Planned events and activities are organised for pupils to be part of the school community through Team of the Week assemblies, Sports days, intra sports activities and whole school plays.
• Planned events and activities are also organised for pupils to be part of the community to meet with a range of people in a variety of situations which include: inter school sports activities, sporting events, whole school event days, regular use of local leisure facilities and employer encounters.
• Ravenswood School promotes that pupils, parents / carers, staff and professionals working with the school are part of the Ravenswood family and each have much to offer to support the pupils within the school.
Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs
• Ravenswood serves a multi-faith community where each person is respected and valued equally without regard to ability, gender, faith, heritage, sexuality or race.
• Cultural appreciation and development forms part of our curriculum. We ensure that there are a range of opportunities to participate in events and celebrations which broaden all pupils’ experiences and awareness of others.
• Department assemblies and Time to Talk sessions, alongside our school curriculum help all pupils to find out about themselves and others, linking their lives to the communities to which they belong.
• Specifically focused weeks on anti-bullying, and Sex and Relationships Education alongside the PSHCE / RE curriculum covers areas such as friendships, helping others, going for goals, getting on and falling out and celebrations from a range of faiths and world events.
• Pupils are encouraged to experience British culture and values through our curriculum themes. Pupils visit a wide range of different venues, including day trips and for some, residential. We also invite visiting theatre groups to perform plays and take part in a range of sporting events to instil fair play and team spirit.
• All staff work closely with parents, carers and other professionals to ensure that the pupils at Ravenswood are happy, well cared for and enabled to learn the skills they need to live a fulfilling life as part of their community.