At Chennestone we are committed to serving our community. We recognise the multi-cultural, multi faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom.  The school also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them. We follow equal opportunities guidance which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar.

Promoting British Values at Chennestone
The DfE have reinforced the need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.” The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy. At Chennestone these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy
Democracy is embedded at the school. Children are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. Pupils also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas through our School Parliament and regular pupil voice sessions. The elections of the School Parliament members are based solely on pupil votes, reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action. Our Pupil Parliament work not only to solve issues that the children raise but also have input into their curriculum and the standards of the school.

Each year a class charter enables each class to take account of all pupils’ ideas and suggestions.  Governors also have the opportunity to meet with pupils to discuss their learning. 

For our parent body, we have class representatives who meet on a regular basis with a member of the SLT to present the parent voice. Questionnaires and feedback forms allow parents the opportunity to express their ideas and opinions. These in turn directly affect any future strategic decisions made.

The Rule of Law
All adults at Chennestone whether senior leaders, teachers, support staff or governors, have a duty to protect children from harm and promote British Law and British Values.

Chennestone has a crucial part to play in providing a positive role model for all children and to build positive links with our local community. As a publicly funded school, Chennestone must fulfil its duty to promote community cohesion, champion democratic values and human rights.  Significant to this role is the specific focus needed to support our most vulnerable pupils and those at risk of isolation within our community.

The ‘rule of law’ is fundamental to our behaviour management, and as a school we have high expectations of all members of our school community. The rule of law is built on firm foundations where;

• Rules are created to provide a safe environment
• Rules are clearly defined
• Rules are applied equally, to all
• Rules ensure fairness for all
• We all have a responsibility to adhere to these rules and accept that there are consequences if they are broken
• Pupils contribute towards the rules which maintain a safe and fair school

Individual Liberty
At Chennestone, pupils are given freedom and active encouragement to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. There are many opportunities to make good choices, including choosing a balanced dinner at lunchtime, taking part in extra-curricular clubs, taking on classroom and whole school responsibilities and choosing how to behave.

Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights, responsibilities and personal freedoms, which are taught through our empowering RSHE curriculum. Children also participate in groups, such as Pupil Parliament, which help to develop pupils as citizens and develop their understanding of their rights, responsibility and self-worth within the wider world.

Individual liberty has our school values at its heart. Our assemblies promote this. Furthermore, children’s achievements, ranging from sport to smaller personal goals, are celebrated in assemblies to instil in them a sense of worth and create ambitious pupils who believe in themselves.

Chennestone is committed to helping the children and staff to understand what the key features of a healthy positive environment are and enable individual freedoms to be maintained and respected.

Mutual Respect
At Chennestone, we encourage mutual respect between children, staff and parents.  We recognise that the way students treat each other as people is a firm foundation to a healthy life at school, at home and in the community.

By emphasising empathy, good character and other important life skills, we constantly strive to create well-rounded and thoughtful students. We value one another as unique and special individuals; we celebrate diversity and encourage our community to celebrate different cultures and beliefs.

We consistently use good manners, saying ‘please,’ ‘thank you’ and ‘excuse me’. At Chennestone, we do not use put downs, sarcasm or make fun of other people’s mistakes, we continue to embrace individuality.

We promote mutual respect by being a close community where we celebrate each other’s successes, acknowledging and supporting the accomplishments of others. We encourage our students to ‘look out’ for their peers, filling them with conscientiousness; creating helpful and generous characters.

Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs
Our school actively prepares all pupils for life in modern Britain. A broad and balanced curriculum is vital for this. We consider that diversity is a strength and actively promote diversity through our celebration of different faiths and cultures.

Religious Education and RSHE lessons reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others. Members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.

We ensure pupils understand that the freedom to choose to follow different faiths and beliefs is a fundamental human right. Having another faith should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory treatment. The children become valuable and fully rounded members of society who treat others with respect and tolerance, regardless of background.