Heyes Lane Primary School

The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated in the New National Curriculum 2014. At Heyes Lane these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

The children at Heyes Lane have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. We have a school council which meets regularly to discuss issues raised in class council meetings. The council members for each class are voted in by their peers and take their role very seriously. All children have an annual questionnaire with which they are able to put forward their views about the school.

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout the school day, 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. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message.

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 their choice of learning challenge, of how they record it, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual respect is at the heart of our values at Heyes Lane. 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 and follow our golden rule of ‘treat others as you wish to be treated’.

Heyes Lane is situated in an area which is not greatly culturally diverse; therefore we place a great emphasis on promoting diversity with the children. Assemblies are regularly planned to address this issue either directly or through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures. Our weekly RE and PSHE teaching reinforces this. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.