Shorefields School values the diversity of backgrounds of all pupils, families and wider school community.

The Department for Education states that there is a 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 Department for Education defines British Values as follows:

• Respect for democracy and support or participation in the democratic process

• Respect for the basis on which the law is made and applies in England

• Support for equality of opportunity for all

• Support and respect for the liberties of all within the law

• Respect for and tolerance of different faiths and religious and other beliefs

Our school reflects British values in all that we do.  We encourage our children to be creative, unique, open-minded and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and of others in our school, our local community and the wider world.  

Shorefields School actively promotes British values in the following ways:

Democracy 

The principles of democracy are explored in the curriculum e.g. Turn taking, sharing and collaboration, as well as during assemblies and special projects.

School council is well established and is working on:

• Creating whole school projects

• Planning anti-bullying week

• Supporting the work of the Jack Petchey Foundation

Achievements are celebrated and rewards are embedded into our school culture and ethos.

We promote a school environment where questions are valued and encouraged.

Rule of Law

The ethos and school environment promotes and encourages respect and helps pupils to distinguish right from wrong.

Class rules are shared frequently as and where necessary, reminding pupils of our school ethos and values.

The Behaviour policy sets out our positive approach to behaviour management, and the strategies in place to reduce any form of aggression, abuse or violence, which extends to pupils, staff and parent and carers. We raise awareness of bullying by being part of the National Anti-Bullying Week.

Individual Liberty

Our school environment is one that promotes independence and individual communication. Our aim is to work towards pupils having full autonomy. Pupils are supported by skilled communication partners to take ownership of their learning. All staff are skilled at scaffolding communication with minimal support necessary to promote engagement and achievement.

We all work to promote the pupils' self-esteem and positive sense of self throughout the school day and in the wider community.

From the EYFS through to our college, pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour and are supported to learn to make safe choices that enable them to grow as individuals and reach and go beyond their own potential in all aspects of their learning.

We conduct annual parent surveys and take account of our pupil views and use the results to inform the coming year's school improvement plan.

We pride ourselves on a school culture and ethos that builds respect, tolerance and resilience.

Mutual Respect

Respect is one of the core values of our school.  The pupils know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone, adults and children.

Pupils are helped to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other opinions, cultures and ways of life.

Staff and pupils are encouraged to challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour. All incidents are recorded. 

Links and visits are promoted by local faith communities and places of worship..

Through the PSHE, RSE and RE curriculums, pupils are encouraged to discuss and respect differences between people, such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, gender or sexuality and differences of family situations. 

Vulnerability to Radicalisation or Extreme Views

The school recognises its duty to protect our students from indoctrination into any form of extreme ideology which may lead to the harm of self or others.  This is particularly important because of the open access to electronic information through the internet.  The schools aims to safeguard young people through educating them on the appropriate use of social media (where appropriate) and the dangers of downloading and sharing inappropriate material which is illegal under the Counter-Terrorism Act.

The school vets all visitors carefully and will take firm action if any individual or group is perceived to be attempting to influence members of our school community, either physically or electronically. Our definition of radical or extreme ideology is ‘a set of ideas which could justify vilification or violence against individuals, groups or self.’  Staff are trained to be vigilant for spotting signs of extremist view and behaviours and to always report anything which may suggest a student is expressing opinions which may cause concern.  

Our core mission of diversity permeates all we do. We place a strong emphasis on the common values that all communities share, such as self-respect, tolerance and the sanctity of life. We work hard to broaden our students' experience, to prepare them for life and work in contemporary Britain. We teach them to respect and value the surrounding diversity as well as understand how to make safe, well-considered decisions.