British Values Statement
The Department for Education states that there is a need:
“To create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs”.
Staff at Lime Academy Orton promote ‘British Values’ through our Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education which permeates through the school’s curriculum. We recognise that this is most successful when values and attitudes are promoted by all the staff and provide a model of positive behaviour for our pupils. We have a Protective Behaviours ethos which underpins our everyday practice. Our curriculum in all phases offers broad and balanced opportunities.
We aim to deliver SMSC opportunities through a personalised and purposeful approach to ensure that pupils have an appropriate and meaningful learning experience. Through these curriculum aspects pupils will;
- participate in wider community and social settings
- be positive members of our school and campus through community cohesion, mutual respect and tolerance
- reduce their dependence and gain skills, knowledge and understanding of democracy and personal liberty
- participate in cultural and sporting events.
‘British Values’ have been identified as:
Democracy:
The ability to understand and communicate is a core area of learning identified in our Lime SEND Curriculum. We ensure that pupil voice is developed, acknowledged and responded to through the use of individual digital passports for all our pupils. We aim to achieve this through a total communication approach including words, objects, photographs, pictures, symbols, touch cues, eye pointing or body language. We empower our pupils by giving them opportunities to make choices about the things that they believe to be important.
Rule of Law:
Pupils are empowered through a positive approach to behaviour support and a Protective Behaviours ethos to develop strategies to be happy and remain calm. Staff are committed to providing a consistent, structured teaching and learning environment within the school and to provide safe opportunities to access community facilities. This enables pupils to feel safe and secure which in turn, promotes the optimum conditions for wider engagement and participation for learning to take place.
Individual Liberty:
Pupils are encouraged to engage, participate and become valued citizens as part of our ongoing focus on Preparation for Adulthood, which starts at Early Years. We do this by supporting each pupil to become as independent as possible and recognising the right to say ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to ideas or activities.
Some pupils will be able to take responsibility for particular roles and to understand that with certain rights comes a level of responsibility. Learning to do things independently is an important part of developing a sense of self. We support the development of our sense of self and others by participating in our #LimeKind community action and through our community charity shop and cafe, The Hub.
Mutual Respect:
Our Lime SEND Curriculum ensures that learning is personalised to meet individual needs through EHCP outcomes to promote participation in activities, settings and locations that are appropriate to pupils. Within school, pupils work with a range of people; communication and interaction with others are positively promoted on a personalised basis for each learner. This may include undertaking work-related learning within our local community at The Hub, providing opportunities to meet with a range of people in a variety of events and social situations.
We value the diverse ethnic backgrounds of all pupils, families and staff in our school and the wider community. We participate in events and lessons to celebrate our community, promoting mutual enjoyment, tolerance of and respect for differences in the wider world.
Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs:
At Lime Academy Orton everyone is respected and valued equally without regard to ability, gender, faith, sexual orientation, heritage or race. We are proud to say that our workforce represents the rich and diverse community within the city of Peterborough and wider region.
Cultural appreciation and development forms part of our curriculum. We place great emphasis on providing encounters and participation in events and celebrations to broaden all pupils’ experiences and awareness of others.
Thematic assemblies and school celebrations help pupils to find out about themselves and others. The themes cover areas such as: friendships, helping others and celebrations from a range of faiths or world events.
The staff work in partnership with parents, carers and other professionals to ensure that the pupils at Lime Academy Orton are motivated, happy, and supported to learn the skills they need to live a fulfilling life as part of their community.