Introduction
Victoria Lane Academy is a member of Tudhoe Learning Trust and as a school team we work tirelessly to promote the Trust’s core aim:
“To work and learn together, always striving to ensure our pupils achieve their full potential and develop the skills and knowledge required for an ever changing world”
Although we are part of a larger educational organisation, as a school we have our own unique mission statement, identity and ethos that is underpinned by specific aims and goals.
Our Ethos
As a school, Victoria Lane Academy recognises that each child is an individual; that all children are creative; that all children need to succeed. Therefore, our school respects the individual needs of children; fosters a caring and creative environment; and emphasises the social, emotional, physical and intellectual development of each child.
Our aim is to ensure our children become independent and self-sufficient adults who will succeed as lifelong learners and contribute responsibly in a global community.
Mutual respect and equality is promoted throughout the school and trying our best is more important than being the best. Our school motto is:
“To be the best that you can be!”
Promoting British Values
Victoria Lane Academy is committed to serving its community. It recognises the multi-cultural, multi faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. It 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.
It follows 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. Victoria Lane Academy is dedicated to preparing students for their adult life beyond the formal examined curriculum and ensuring that it promotes and reinforces British values to all its students.
The Government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools. The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.
The five British Values are:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
The academy uses strategies within the National curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for students. The examples that follow show some of the many ways we seek to embed British values.
Democracy
The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced at with democracy processes being used for important decisions within the school community, for instance, elections being held for the School Council. The principle of democracy is also explored throughout the curriculum as well as during assemblies.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced. Pupils are taught the rules and expectations of the school which are highlighted by the class charters and our pupil behaviour code of conduct and pupil expectations. Pupils are taught the value and the reasons behind laws that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service and our enrolment on the Neighbourhood Watch scheme as well as annual attendance at the Year 6 Safety Carousel reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty
At Victoria Lane Academy, pupils are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Staff at our school educate and provide boundaries for pupils to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education.
Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through e-safety and anti-bullying work.
Victoria Lane Academy has a robust anti-bullying culture and has in place comprehensive Behaviour Policy and Guidelines.
Mutual Respect
Respect is a strong component of Victoria Lane Academy and is embedded into our Ethos & Values. Our restorative approach ensures that pupils learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect and this is reiterated through its teaching and learning environments.
Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum by providing the opportunity for our pupils to express their views in a safe environment.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
This is achieved though equipping children with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity within the school community. Pupils benefit from a number of international visitors, including students from other continents and cultures such as Jamaica and Brazil to teach students about life in other countries and develop them as global citizens. Additionally, pupils are actively encouraged to share their faith and beliefs within the school and celebrate festivities throughout the calendar year. The Religious Education curriculum, which is compulsory for all pupils, provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions and cultures.
Victoria Lane Academy strives endlessly to ensure that its pupils leave for the next stage of their education with the strongest foundation of values upon which to build a successful life and a successful contribution to our Society.
British Values long Term Plan
View our British Values Long Term Plan by clicking the link below:
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