British Values

At The Wherry School we promote ‘British Values’ through our spiritual, moral, social and cultural education which permeates through the school’s curriculum and supports the development of the ‘whole child’.

At The Wherry School, we recognise that such development is most successful when those values and attitudes are promoted by all the staff and provide a model of behaviour for our pupils.

‘British Values’ are identified as:

Democracy:

• The ability to communicate is the most important area of learning.  At The Wherry School we ensure that pupils are given a ‘voice’ to communicate. The method of using this ‘voice’ could be using 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. By valuing each ‘voice’ and by listening and responding to that voice we demonstrate that we support democracy and liberty.

Rule of Law:

• We involve pupils in setting codes of behaviour; helping pupils to make decisions and choices that are acceptable to the school community and society at large.
• Pupils are helped to learn to manage their behaviour and take responsibility for their actions.  Staff are committed to providing a consistent and predicable environment within the school and beyond.  We can help some pupils to understand the connection between actions and consequences. This type of environment enables pupils to feel safe and secure; this in turn, promotes the optimum conditions for learning to take place.

Individual Liberty:

Pupils at The Wherry are encouraged to become good and valued citizens. 

• We do this by supporting each pupil to become as independent as possible. We endeavour to demonstrate that everyone has rights; this includes the right to say ‘No’ to ideas or activities that they do not want to take part in. 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 learning to understand yourself.  
• We support others by participating in National charitable events such as, Red Nose Day/Comic Relief, Children in Need, as well as supporting charities and causes identified by the pupils themselves via the School Council and individual class lessons.  At The Wherry School we believe that by engendering a caring and helpful environment and by learning to be independent can boost and nurture a healthy self-esteem.

Mutual Respect:

• We promote each pupil’s inclusion, where possible, in a range of activities, settings and locations. The children in Early Years have opportunities to integrate with other children at the local Nursery Schools and playgroups. These groups visit The Wherry regularly and for some individuals, there are specific sessions for integration.
• As pupils move into the other Key Stages, further planned events and circumstances are planned for pupils to go into the community to meet with a range of people in a variety of situations which include: sports events, community events and shared participation with other schools/colleges.
• It is important to facilitate opportunities for The Wherry to be part of the community as the pupils, families and staff have much to offer in the development of community cohesion.
• Our respect extends to the Environment, pupils are encouraged to look after the school and wider environment, including engaging in debate about the environment and global issues.

Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs:

• The Wherry School serves a multi-faith community where each person is respected and valued equally without regard to ability, gender, faith, heritage or race.
• 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.
• Our Assemblies help all pupils to find out about themselves and others linking their lives to the communities in which they belong. The themes cover areas such as: friendships, helping others and celebrations from a range of faiths and world events.
• Pupils are encouraged to experience British Culture through our curriculum themes and enrichment week opportunities.    As a school, we take part in local sporting activities which helps to instil ‘fair play’ and engender a ’team spirit’.

Although some pupils at The Wherry School may find it difficult to articulate their feelings and concerns or to understand the feelings and emotions, staff are attuned to changes in demeanour and well-being that may indicate anxiety. If they are concerned about a pupil our accepted practice links to the Child Protection Policy which entrusts a duty of care to all staff to actively protect and promote the welfare of children.

The staff work closely with parents, carers and other professionals to ensure that the pupils at The Wherry are happy, well cared for and enabled to learn the individual skills they need to live a fulfilling independent life as part of their community in Modern Britain.