Democracy
Student voice is significant in regards to life at the Academy. Our student elected school council play a strong role in our school. They are elected by their class peers and are involved in making the Academy a better place to learn. Students have a great amount of input in regards to what and how they learn, which promotes student voice.
Rule of law
Our students will encounter rules and laws throughout their entire lives. We want our students to understand that whether these laws govern the class, the school, the neighbourhood or the country, they are set for good reasons and must be adhered to.
This understanding of the importance of rules will be consistently reinforced through assemblies and our curriculum. The involvement of our students in the creation of the school rules helps them to understand the reasons behind the rules and the consequences if they are broken. Through philosophical enquiry in our philosophy for learning lessons, we allow opportunities to debate and discuss the reasons for laws so that children can recognise the importance of these for their own protection. Throughout the year we welcome visits from members of the wider community including police, war veterans, the fire brigade and many more. We believe that clear explanations and real life stories emphasise the importance of the rule of law for our students.
Individual liberty
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. In lessons, learning tasks are often left for the child to decide upon. We encourage children to choose the task that will challenge them, giving them more freedom to determine their own learning. We offer a range of clubs which students have the freedom to choose from, based on their interests. Through our e-safety and philosophy for learning we educate children on their rights and personal freedoms as well as supporting them in recognising how to exercise these freedoms safely. At the Academy, 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.
Mutual respect
Mutual respect is at the core of our school life where students learn to treat each other and staff with great respect.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
At the Academy, we offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which all major religions are studied and respected. 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.
PREVENT
All schools are subject to a duty under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”. This duty is known as the PREVENT duty.
To satisfy our PREVENT duty we have put in place the following across our school:
- Promotion of British Values
- Staff training
- IT policies in place to prevent access to inappropriate material in school
- A broad and balanced curriculum that creates opportunities for debating issues connected to extremism
Personal, Social and Health Education curriculum
We educate our students across a wide range of Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) issues such as discussion, debate, written activities and group work.
Recently students have been introduced to our new form time programmes 'Get, Set, Go' and '#WorldReady'.
About the Get, Set, Go programme:
Get, Set, Go is now from 8.40 - 8.55am and the World Ready is 8.40 - 9.10am. During this time students receive key notices prior to each day's activity. Activities include a weekly assembly, reading sessions and maths challenges. The assemblies cover a wide variety of themes, delivered by staff and external visitors. There are two reading sessions per week, one is an audio book voted on by the form class and the other is each student's personal choice of book - please encourage and remind your child to bring their book on their designated reading morning. The maths challenge varies each week activities that encourage problem solving, reasoning using maths to work out puzzles.
About the #WorldReady programme:
The #WorldReady programme runs every Friday when form time is extended from 8.35am until 9.15am. During this session, students will develop the wide and varied knowledge and skills required to be 'WorldReady'! Over the course of their time at Rye Hills Academy, the #WorldReady programme covers all areas of PSHE education and supports the learning that takes place across the curriculum, extra-curricular activities and other events.