Personal, Social and Health Education 

At Riverside Academy our aim is to prepare all children for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life to ensure that they are equipped to become successful British citizens. Through our curriculum, teaching and school ethos we strive to give the children knowledge, skills and understanding to:

• Become confident, successful individuals, who are ready for the next stage in their education.
• Develop a healthy, safer lifestyle and make informed choices
• Develop and maintain good relationships with all members of our community
• Respect differences between people and have an understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others.
• Develop spiritual, moral, social and cultural awareness that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.   

PSHE is challenging, motivating, practical and interactive.  This subject encompasses the core values of our school (Excellence, Resilience and Friendship) and is taught in a cross curricular way across a range of subjects including RSE, P.E and Science.

In our diverse society, children need to be aware of fundamental British Values, develop an understanding of themselves, others and their community and how we can work together in harmony.   Additionally, children also need to know how to maintain healthy lifestyles and relationships with others. PSHE plays an integral role in children exploring these things and helps to prepare them for the community that they live in now and in the future. We encourage all our pupils to play a positive role in contributing to school life and the wider community through class & school councils, fundraising events, supporting nominated charities and involvement in community activities. Through our school ethos and initiatives, such as School Council, we share with the children  the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

Our children  participate in the Warwickshire safeguarding ‘Taking Care project' which  aims to ensure schoolchildren are streetwise, confident  and know the difference between strangers who are dangerous and those who can help.

Promoting British Values at Riverside Academy

The DfE have recently reinforced the need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.”

The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated by the Prime Minister this year. At Riverside these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy

Democracy is an integral part of our school ethos and culture. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our Pupil Council, the Junior Leadership Team and frequent pupil surveys. These roles along with ‘Head Boy, and Head Girl, and the Play Leaders are valued positions within the school. The election process for each of these responsibilities provides the opportunity for all our pupils to experience first- hand democracy in action.

The Rule of Law

The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police; Fire Service, and local Vicar are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.

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 safety, through of provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety, ‘Taking care project’ and PSHE lessons.

Mutual Respect

Our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around Core rights and responsibilities, such as ‘Respect’, and pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. Respect for others is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our behaviour policy. Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum by providing the opportunity for students to express their views in a safe environment. 

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Belief

Cultural appreciation and development forms part of our curriculum. We place great emphasis on providing encounters and participation in events and celebrations to broaden all pupils’ experiences and awareness of others.

This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE.  A planned curriculum of visits to different places of worship and speakers from different faiths enables children to find out about themselves and others in the community in which they belong.

Learning Behaviours - Secret to Success by Chris Quigley 

At Riverside children are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning. They are taught the langue and strategies required to be successful life long learners. This supports the ethos of the school for all children to reach their potential and be proud of their progress. Children are able to explain their learning and articulate their progress confidently.

The eight secret to success stages: