British Values

The school’s mission statement of “Quality, Opportunity & Success for all” sums up our commitment to the core values of equality and respect for all.  At New Forest School we promote British values in a variety of ways.  These values are taught explicitly through our PSHCE curriculum.

The examples that follow are an indication of some of the ways we embed British values at New Forest School and should be seen as an indication of our approach rather than an exhaustive list.

New Forest School students have a voice.  That voice is heard through regular Student Council meetings.  The importance of parliamentary democracy is demonstrated in publicly held elections of Student Councillors and School Council President which include nominations, canvassing and voting.  Students are also involved in the recruitment process for some members of staff.  Our students learn our island’s story – and where our freedoms and things like our Parliament and constitutional monarchy came from.

New Forest School consistently reinforces the importance of laws and rules, whether they govern a class, the school or the country.   Laws and rules are also reinforced through year assemblies.  Students are taught the values of laws and rules, the reasons behind them and the consequences that apply when they are broken. The school has links with the Ambulance Service and the local RNLI and both are regular visitors to the school.

The various churches and faith groups that call Britain home are all a key part of the Religious Education curriculum. We strive to improve our students’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity in school. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying are supported by learning in RE and PSHE.

Students are actively encouraged to think about and make good and right choices in their daily lives in and out of school. We provide students with a safe and secure environment that supports them in making the right choices via a balanced curriculum. Students are encouraged get involved in a variety of extra-curricular and community activities. Students and staff work together for a large number of charitable causes throughout the year (Heart Foundation, Red Nose Day, Children in Need and our school charity, the RNLI)

Pupils are encouraged to participate in leadership opportunities that not only develop their skills but could potentially impact on a large number of students – For example, some of our Key Stage 4 students .  New Forest School students accept personal and social responsibility in many ways.

Respect is at the core of our school ethos and is modelled by students and staff alike. The school promotes respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning environments. Our school ethos and behaviour policy revolves around Core Values: Honesty, Dignity, Care and Respect.   Students are part of discussions and assemblies related to what these mean and how they are shown. Our ethos promotes respect for others and this is reiterated through our individual classroom rules, as well as our behaviour policy.  The following ‘Charter of Rights’ and ‘Expectations for All’ sets out these expectations.

In New Forest School

• Every student has the right to learn
• Every teacher has the right to teach
• We all have the right to feel and be safe
• We all have the right to dignity and respect

Students, parents/carers and staff all have responsibilities associated with these rights.