British Values
The Dolphin School supports and delivers a firm commitment to developing and upholding British Values.
Democracy
The Dolphin School has an active Student Parliament. Each year the classes (from year 1 upwards) go through a democratic system to elect pupils who will represent their voice within the school. The Student Parliament meet with Senior Leaders and Governors to support shaping events and learning in the school.
The rule of law
Our three values underpin our behaviour system – we want to see our children being respectful, responsible, resilient and curious. Our behaviour focuses on how we treat other children and adults, how we treat our school and its environment and how we learn in lessons. If children do not follow the school rules then there are consequences for their behaviour. Children are explained the reasons and values behind these rules.
The school has good links with the local PCSO (Police, community support officer) and local police who come and speak to the children about the rule of law.
Individual liberty
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it be through choice of learning challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
We want our children to understand and feel part of the community that their school is in. The Dolphin School is very diverse with 30 different nationalities and 15 different languages spoken within the school. Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. We celebrate the diversity in our curriculum. Examples include our celebrations of different religious festivals throughout the year, the participation of all our children, including those with disability, in all our curriculum activities and the regular staff training we undertake to ensure this inclusive practice remains outstanding. Children learn that their actions have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect. The whole school community knows and understands that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have.
Radicalisation and extremism
Radicalisation is defined as the act or process of making a person more radical or the favouring of extreme or fundamental changes in political, economic or social conditions, institutions or habits of the mind. Extremism is defined as the holding of extreme political or religious views.
The Governing Body will not tolerate extremism. We rely on our strong values to steer our work and ensure the pastoral care of our children protects them from exposure to negative influences.
The Dolphin School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children. As a school, we recognise that safeguarding against radicalisation is no different from safeguarding against any other vulnerability.
All staff are expected to uphold and promote the fundamental principles of British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. In our school, children
- are taught how to keep themselves safe, in school and when using the internet.
- participate in local community events so that they appreciate and value their neighbours and friends who may not share their faith background
- develop in confidence and resilience through our planned curriculum and extra-curricular learning opportunities
- are supported in making good choices from a very young age so they understand the impact and consequences of their actions on others.
Our curriculum and school values promote respect, tolerance and diversity. This is woven through our curriculum, in particular our RE and PSHE curriculum and is embedded across the school.
Staff are reminded to suspend any professional disbelief that instances of radicalisation ‘could not happen here’ and to refer any concerns through the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
