Hayfield Cross is a very friendly, welcoming and caring school and we believe that people achieve more when they feel happy, secure and valued. Our philosophy is to educate the whole person; we want children to enjoy their learning and we have high expectations for their academic, creative and social progress. Community and team working is very much part of the ethos at our school and there are high expectations of all staff, pupils and parents to work cooperatively to make a positive contribution to the life of our school. There is a focused commitment on learning, which includes staff, pupils, families and the community - we are proud of what we do and achieve.
The Government has set out its definition of British Values as:
- Democracy
- Rule of Law
- Individual Liberty
- Mutual Respect
- Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
At Hayfield Cross these values are reinforced regularly throughout our curriculum (please see specific details in the panel on the right) and also in the following ways.
Democracy
- Ensuring that all children understand democracy and its importance.
- Encouraging pupils to support and participate in the democratic processes in England and understand how citizens can influence decision making through the democratic process.
Pupil voice is significant in regards to life at Hayfield Cross and there are a number of different pupil led groups which ensure the voices of all children within our school are represented. Such groups include: The Legends Council, Spiritual Ambassadors and Eco Warriors. Each of the student groups play a strong role in our school and are involved in enhancing the learning environment and experiences across our school. The pupils are able to request funding to enhance the learning experiences and provision.
Pupils are also able to vote annually on the different charities they wish to support throughout the year. The children are encouraged to independently raise funds in a variety of different ways with the support from the whole school community.
We also value the views of all of our community. Throughout the school year we ask for feedback from parents and pupils on what we are doing well and for improvements that can be made to make us even better. Pupil questionnaires and interviews are conducted throughout the year. We know that promoting the active participation of our pupils will sow the seeds for a more sophisticated understanding of democracy in the future.
The Rule of Law
- To understand that people hold different views about what is right and wrong, however everyone living in England are subject to its law.
Our pupils will encounter rules and laws throughout their entire lives. We want our pupils to understand that whether these laws govern their learning space, the school, the local community or the country, they are set for good reasons and must be adhered to. This understanding of the importance of our school rules and values are consistently reinforced through assemblies and our curriculum (for example, learning behaviours). Throughout the year, we welcome visits from members of the wider community including the police, the fire brigade and many more. We believe that clear explanations emphasise the importance of the rule of law for our pupils.
Individuality
- Ensuring that children understand that they, and all other citizens have the right to express themselves and their views freely.
We invest a great deal of time in creating a positive culture in our school, so that children are in a safe environment where choices and freedoms are encouraged. We offer a range of clubs which pupils have the freedom to choose from, based on their interests. Through our E-Safety, Collective Worship and PSHE sessions, we educate children on their rights and personal freedoms as well as supporting them in recognising how to exercise these freedoms safely. At Hayfield Cross, we believe that valuing choice and freedom in daily school life will foster a value for individual liberty as the children embark upon their adult lives. We are committed to ensuring that all of our pupils develop their skills of independence, collaboration, co-operation and problem solving to enable a true love of learning and to be pioneers of their future.
Mutual Respect
- Respect others and their views and create harmony between different cultural traditions by encouraging children to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures.
Mutual respect is at the core of our school life. Children learn to treat each other and staff with great respect. This is evident when walking around the school and in the learning spaces. Our school has a strong family atmosphere and sense of community and offers a variety of development opportunities for all our children, parents and staff. Children are encouraged to articulate their thoughts and feelings in a safe and respectful environment. Our pupils will discuss aspects that affect them as they know we listen and value what they are saying.
Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
- To show an acceptance that other people having different faiths or beliefs should be accepted and tolerated and should not experience prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour.
We love being an inclusive and diverse school! At Hayfield Cross we offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which all major religions are studied and respected. We actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures. Religious Education lessons, collective worship and PSHE lessons reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others. Within our school we strongly believe that tolerance is gained through knowledge and understanding. Through our curriculum and the routines of our daily school life, we strive to demonstrate tolerance and help children to become knowledgeable and understanding citizens who can build a better Britain for the future.