The Russett School

Our Values are the foundation from which we grow and develop.

We value….

Community- Resilience- Wellbeing- Respect- Empowerment

Our ultimate aim is that our students leave The Russett School as happy, mature and assertive adults, equipped with the skills and independence to make a positive contribution to the wider world.

At The Russett School, we actively promote British values in the following ways:

Democracy: ‘making decisions together’

• We promote an environment where questions are valued and encouraged
• The principles of democracy are explored in the whole curriculum e.g. turn taking, sharing and collaboration.
• Within our PSHE lessons
• Achievements are celebrated in lessons and during Collective Worship.
• Pupil’s express their views throughout their time at Russett in many way e.g. during the Annual Review process; questionnaires and participation in focus groups e,g. school champions meetings
• Through election of School Council members and Careers Champions
• We demonstrate democracy in action, for example, voting in class groups on class issues
• Ability to make choices/ show likes and dislikes

The rule of law: ‘understanding rules matter’

• Staff help pupils to understand their own and others’ behaviour with the support of carefully planned techniques and strategies such as traffic lights, visual symbols and signs.
• Through our behaviour strategies; our Positive Behaviour Support Policy and practice
• Staff help pupils to understand class rules through the use of symbols; for example good sitting/ listening.
• Distinguishing right from wrong is supported through our PBS approaches bespoke to pupil need- teaching over time
• The importance of rules, whether they are those that govern the class, the school, or the country are consistently reinforced throughout the day.
• As students progress through the school they are taught the value and reason 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 and Fire Service help reinforce this message.

Individual liberty: ‘freedom for all’

We pride ourselves on a school culture and ethos that builds respect, tolerance and resilience. We show this through our values of:

Community- Resilience- Wellbeing- Respect Empowerment

• Both in and out of lessons students are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. 
• Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our RSE/ PHSE & Online Safety curriculum.
• Our school environment is one that promotes independence and individual communication strategies as our core curriculum
• Pupils are encouraged to use their chosen form of communication to ‘voice’/ show their opinions e.g. to say what he/she liked or didn’t like, what they would like to do next time.
• We all work to promote students’ self-esteem and positive sense of self throughout the school day and in the wider community.
• Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour and are supported to learn to make safe choices that enable them to grow as individuals and reach their own potential in all aspects of their learning
• Pupils are supported to understand their rights and personal freedoms and are given appropriate advice to enable them to make independent decisions.
• Vulnerable students are supported to make appropriate decisions and staff ensure that adults supporting them are doing so with the students best interests.

Mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs: ‘treat others as you want to be treated’

• Pupils are encouraged to acquire tolerance and appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures; this is approached through the curriculum delivery and also supported through additional celebration / theme days. 
• Staff encourage and explain the importance of tolerant behaviours such as sharing and respecting others opinions. This is modelled through promotion of PBS policy, anti-bullying week, celebrations and theme days/ weeks, RSE/ PSHE curriculum, class rules/expectations, circle time and reflection time, Collective Worship and overall high expectations for behaviour
• Through the PSHE and RE curriculum students are encouraged to discuss and respect cultural differences
• Our values and practice around school promote respect for others
• Both in and out of the classroom students are helped to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other opinions, cultures and ways of life