In accordance with The Department for Education, we aim to actively promote British Values in school to ensure our children leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. Pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that, while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law.

The key values are:

• Democracy
• Rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect
• Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.

At Hever School, these values are modelled and reinforced through our curriculum and our everyday lives.

Democracy

Democracy is richly embedded within the school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through a variety of means, including School Council, pupil questionnaires and discussion with the Headteacher. Our Behaviour Policy is applied consistently, including the use of rewards and sanctions. 

The Rule of Law

The importance of rules and/or laws, whether it is those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently applied and reinforced in all aspects of school life. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, building their understanding in an age-appropriate way they are in place to govern and protect us, the responsibilities that these involve and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service provide a positive way to help to reinforce this message.

Individual Liberty

At Hever 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 all pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an empowering approach to education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-safety and PSHE lessons. Pupils are further empowered through being part of a school council and are able to take part in pupil forums which link directly to the Senior Leadership Team and/or the Governors. Pupils are given the freedom to make a wide range of choices, from attending extracurricular clubs to supporting fundraising events.

Mutual Respect

Our value of BELONGING, treating everyone with respect and courtesy, is at the heart of how we learn and play together. This is modelled by adults across the school, through their relationships with one another, with other professionals, with parents and carers and with the children. 

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

We know that our children are growing up in a diverse and often divided world and recognise that world-views can impact how pupils think, believe, feel, and act. For children growing up and working out who they are, it can be especially hard to know how to handle conflict, difference, fear of saying the wrong thing, and the ups and downs of friendships. Children need the opportunity and support to build good relationships with themselves, their peers, and the world around them. This will help to build a flourishing and welcoming school community where everyone feels accepted, everyone feels included and everyone feels like their voice matters, so that we all feel like we belong.  It will also prepare children for the next stage in their education and beyond, enabling them to engage respectfully and contribute constructively, to the diverse society to which we belong.