At Lessness Heath we uphold and teach pupils about British Values which are defined as:

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

We promote British values through our three school values -Creativity, Aspiration and Nurture – and also throughout our curriculum.

We value the backgrounds of all our pupils and families and we undertake a variety of events and lessons to celebrate these including collective acts of worship. We have found this approach to be enriching for everyone as it teaches tolerance and respect for the differences in our community and the wider world.

Underpinning the promotion of British values, are a range of curriculum topics, all linked by wider global perspectives aimed at helping our children foster respect and tolerance for others. Our curriculum looks outwards to the world in order to help our children understand how British values have helped to not only shape our society but many others around the globe.

Members of our Junior Parliament are voted for annually and undertake a range of whole school projects focused around school improvement. Understanding the democratic process is a key element to the Junior Parliament and the elections to form it each year. Actions taken are done so in a collaborative and democratic manner with a clear agenda to meetings and purposeful contribution and representation of others our aim.

The importance of laws and rules, whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days. Pupils are also 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.

They are encouraged to reflect on the choices they have made when they are involved in an incident and think about the impact their behaviour has had on others. Visits from authorities such as the police and fire service help to reinforce this message.

To encourage and promote good behaviour, attitude and work, our reward system is consistently followed throughout the school, giving children opportunities to take part in special activities as recognition for positive choices.

We are committed to praising children’s efforts. We try to praise the children informally, individually, during group work, in front of the whole class and the whole school. Children are rewarded not only for achievement in curriculum areas, but for behaviour and general adherence to the School Values.

Rewards and recognition are given in a variety of different ways. Pupils are actively encouraged to make choices at our school, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. 

As a school, we provide boundaries for our children to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and planned curriculum. 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 teaching. Pupils are given the freedom to make choices, e.g. signing up for extra-curricular clubs. They are also encouraged to play an active role in the running of the school and hold many responsibilities such as running lunchtime provisions and activities on the playground, keeping high standards of behaviour in our corridors and leading P.E. activities and lessons.