British Values

How do we promote British Values at Marden Vale?

British values are inherent in all aspects of academy life at Marden Vale Academy.  As a diverse community, we celebrate these values, to enable our children to be global citizens of the future. 

These are the British Values we promote at Marden Vale Academy: 

• Democracy 
• Tolerance 
• The Rule of Law 
• Individual Liberty 
• Equality
• Respect 

We reflect British values in all aspects of school life. We promote these values in the ways in which staff model behaviour during lessons, whilst moving around the school and during play and lunch times. These values are particularly focused on during Personal, Social, Health Education (PSHE) lessons and whole school Acts of Worship and assemblies.

Democracy

At Marden Vale children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. We have a school council which meets regularly to discuss issues raised by their peers. Two school council members for each year group from years 2 -6 are voted for by their class. Pupil voice is heard regularly through surveys throughout the year. This allows pupils to put forward their views about the school. Democracy is explored through a series of lessons in our PSHE curriculum. 

The Rule of Law

Pupils are taught why we have laws; that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. The importance of rules are taught when dealing with behaviour and through school acts of worship. Year 5 children are part of a Wiltshire school project and have been sworn in as ‘mini police’.

Individual Liberty

Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms. They are encouraged to make choices in a safe and supportive environment and advised how to exercise their rights safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons.  

Children learn that with rights come responsibilities. They learn that their actions affect their own rights and those of others. As active learners, children are taught to reflect on their own responsibilities in school. Children are given the opportunity to reflect on the issues through dedicated classroom reflection time where they can also contribute to the class reflection book.

Respect

Respect is one of our school values.  Children are taught that respect is mutual and must be earned. We listen to pupils’ and parents’ views through the use of pupil surveys and through the annual questionnaire to parents. All members of the school community treat each other respectfully. Through acts of worship and a weekly PHSE lesson, children learn about their world, different beliefs and inspiring people in order to help develop their respect. 

Tolerance

At Marden Vale, we embrace cultural diversity in our school and the wider community. Children are encouraged to reflect on their own identity and culture.  As a Church school, we focus on Christian values but teach the children about a range of religions and cultures across the world to promote understanding.