Promoting British Values at King’s Academy Gomer
At King’s Academy Gomer, we fully embrace the Department for Education’s directive to promote the fundamental British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. This commitment prepares our pupils for life in modern Britain and aligns with both our Character Education and Gosport Futures programmes.
Our Personal Development (PD) curriculum equips children with the knowledge, skills, and understanding needed to become confident, healthy, and independent individuals. It addresses key areas such as emotional well-being, financial literacy, relationships and sex education, substance awareness, anti-bullying, and citizenship, all tailored to age-appropriate levels.
A wide range of enrichment activities, including residential trips, community events, and arts and sports clubs, enhance and complement our PD and Character Curriculum. Targeted pastoral care and emotional learning groups offer additional support to individuals and small groups, with our LAPS Team, including two dedicated Learning Mentors, providing exceptional guidance.
Personal and social development lies at the heart of our school values, reflected in our assemblies and rewards systems such as Golden Child and House Points. Pupils take an active role in shaping their school environment through School Council, Head Boy/Girl, Gomer Reps, and leadership roles like Sports Leaders and Reading Buddies. PD is a key driver of the Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural development of our children.
Religious Education (RE) is taught through the Agreed Syllabus ‘Living Difference,’ which plays a vital role in nurturing our children’s understanding of our pluralistic society. By exploring Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism, we foster a deep respect for diverse beliefs, integral to our inclusive ethos.
King’s Academy Gomer has a clear understanding of the Prevent Strategy and has adopted it to ensure the safety of our children. Our school ethos is based on clear aims.
More about British Values
The Government set outs its definition of British values in 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values were reiterated in 2014. At Gomer Junior School these values have always been important and are reinforced within our curriculum in the following ways:
Democracy
Each year the children choose a class representative for the School Council. Children are given the opportunity to show-case why they should be chosen. Their classmates then choose accordingly. In addition to this, children from across the school can apply to be librarians.
To further develop a sense of responsibility, within a democratic setting, all Y6 pupils are given the opportunity to apply for a variety of positions to help with the running of the school. These include: Head Boy and Head Girl, Gomer Reps, Site Support and Sports Representatives.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Gomer. Everyone in our community is aware of their responsibility to behaving in a particular way. Our ‘responsibilities’ boards are present around the school and successful underpin outstanding behaviour at Gomer. The shared ‘responsibilities’ were decided upon by the whole school so are clearly understood and adhered. They provide a powerful reference point. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as our local PCSOs and other emergency services help reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty
At Gomer, 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 informed choices, through a safe environment and an 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 Collective Worship, eSafety and PD lessons.We are aware that on occasions our pupils may make the wrong choices. Our learners are developing in a community which encourages clear reflection in an attempt to ensure better choices are made ‘next time’.
Mutual Respect
Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children 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. The first of our ‘responsibilities reads: I will be respectful and polite.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
Gomer is an inclusive school. We actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures. We have themed menus to support such occasions. Religious Education lessons and PD lessons reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others. Members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. The children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths. Staff are Prevent trained and understand how to best protect and support our children.
