British Values

Promoting and Teaching British Values at Westmeads is woven throughout PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Education), SMSC (Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural) and RSE (Relationship and Sexual Education) sessions. British Values are also align directly to our school values of Curiosity, Independence, Perseverance, Love and Kindness, Respect and Equity.

British Values at Westmeads can be seen in the following ways!

Democracy:

Throughout their time at Westmeads there will be many occasions where children will have the opportunity to vote and for their voices to be heard. We understand that the children's opinions about their school are valid and need to be at the heart of our decision making.

All staff will model this process through asking questions and inviting children's answers and opinions, whether it be in lessons, during assemblies, at lunchtime or on the playground. In child-initiated learning, all children are developing their decision-making skills and learning to make informed choices and take responsibility for them.

Our School Council has members elected from each class and have regular meetings to represent the views of their classmates.

Our school behaviour policy is clear that children are expected to contribute and co-operate, considering the views of others.

The Rule of Law:

We consistently reinforce our high expectations of all our children at Westmeads. Children are taught the value and reasons behind our expectations so that we have shared understanding that they are there to protect us, that everyone has a responsibility and that there are consequences when rules are broken. They recognise that whilst we have rules at school, other rules and laws exist in the country for the same reasons.

By signing the Home School Agreement all parents/carers, children and teachers show commitment to uphold the school rules. 

Children are helped to learn to manage their behaviour and take responsibility for their actions. We help children to understand the connection between actions and consequences.

Visits from the fire service, road safety experts, the police and visits to the Lifeboat Station help us to reinforce this message.

Individual Liberty:

Within school, children are actively encouraged to make choices and have autonomy, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young children to make choices safely, through our provision of a safe environment and empowering teaching. Children are encouraged to know, understand, and exercise their rights and personal freedoms. This includes a range of activities and opportunities to develop their skills through our whole site playtime and lunchtime.

We support each child to become as independent as possible so that they are encouraged to become good and valued citizens. We endeavour to demonstrate that everyone has rights; this includes the right to say ‘No’ when appropriate.

Learning to do things independently is an important part of learning to understand yourself. We believe that in fostering a careful and helpful environment and encouraging independence we can boost and nurture a healthy self-esteem.

Whether it be through their choice of learning challenge, how to record their work, choosing which of our many extra-curricular activities to participate in or what to eat at lunchtime, our children are given the freedom to make many choices.

Mutual Respect:

Respect is one of our school values. Children learn that their behaviour influences their own rights and those of others. All members of our school community treat each other with respect.

Events and opportunities are planned for pupils to go into the community to meet with a variety of people in different situations which include: sports events, community events and shared participation with other schools.

We support others by visiting elderly members of the community to sing songs; to collect Harvest goods for the Whitstable Food Bank, as well as participating in national charitable events such as Children in Need, Comic Relief and fund raising for local charities such as the Whitstable Lifeboat or the Umbrella Centre. We also have our own onsite foodbank to support those in who may wish to use this.

Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around core values such as ‘Respect’, and children are modelled this by caring, sharing, and listening to others. The staff help children to understand how to respect by talking about how actions/words can affect others.

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs:

We aim to enhance children’s understanding of different faiths and beliefs by participating in a range of celebrations throughout the year. Through our school values, all children are taught to respect everyone regardless of their faith and beliefs.

In the curriculum through Religious Education, PSHE, English, Art, geography, and history, as well as our Assembly themes, children consider cultures from other parts of the world, different faiths, and beliefs. Through our thematic learning across the school, we explore many different cultures, faiths and beliefs including, but not limited to, Christianity, Judaism and Hinduism.

 We invite visitors from our community to share their knowledge and to enhance learning both within classes and for the whole school.