Brooklands promotes the British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

DEMOCRACY:

Democracy is embedded within Brooklands. Children have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our Brooklands Parliament, pupil questionnaires and regular ‘pupil voice’ events. The elections of Anti-Bullying Champions and various other roles in school are based on the children’s votes. Each year Brooklands celebrates Democracy Week with a range of visitors including local Members of Parliament and Parish Councillors.

THE RULE OF LAW:

The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout the regular school day, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Children are taught the value and reasons behind laws or rules, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Children follow a Behaviour Policy and can clearly demonstrate an understanding of the rewards and sanctions that are used.  Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Services help reinforce this message.

INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY:

Within Brooklands, children are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for children to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment.  Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through our Online Safety and PSHE lessons, as well as through our Forest School and Beach School sessions. Whether it be through choice of challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, children are given the freedom to make choices.

MUTUAL RESPECT:

Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around values such as respect and inclusion. Children have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. This is reiterated through our classroom and school rules, as well as our behaviour policy. Our children are taught to work collaboratively and value each other’s opinion.  Adults throughout the school model and promote respect for others.

TOLERANCE OF THOSE OF DIFFERENT FAITHS AND BELIEFS:

This is achieved through enhancing children’s understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. This is done specifically through PSHE and RE, as well as across the whole curriculum where relevant.  We have visitors from different faiths deliver whole school assemblies to the children.  Our children also visit different places of worship.  We celebrate the diversity within our school community through displays around school, books resources for our children to access and themed weeks such as Chinese New Year.