British Values
At Hibaldstow Academy we take very seriously our responsibility to prepare children for life in modern Britain. We ensure that the fundamental British Values are introduced, discussed and lived out through our ethos and work of the school. All curriculum areas provide a vehicle for furthering understanding of these concepts and, in particular, our RE, SMSC and PSHE, lessons provide excellent opportunities to deepen and develop understanding. Children embrace these concepts with enthusiasm and demonstrate a good understanding of their application to their own lives.
The school makes considerable efforts to ensure children have exposure to a wide experience beyond their local community during which these concepts are shown, through for example, sporting events, residential visits to outdoor centres and through visiting speakers from all faiths and groups. Their strong-rooted values-based understanding gives them an excellent platform for embracing difference.
Thomas Buxton School Project
This year we are working closely with a school in Whitechapel, London to support our pupils in understanding how their lives compare to those of similar aged children in a different part of the country. We have so far shared information about each other such as our family, interests, hobbies. Last term we shared a video showing what our schools are like.
This term we are working on sharing information about the area we live in and later in the Spring Term, we are planning to meet up with our new friends.
Watch our shared videos here:
Protected Characteristics
The Equality Act became law in 2010. It covers everyone in Britain and protects people from discrimination, harassment and victimisation. Under the Equality Act, there are nine Protected Characteristics:
We teach our children about the protected characteristics at age-appropriate times. This has been carefully planned alongside our PHSE curriculum. Below is a table which highlights when different characteristics are taught.
| Protected characteristics | What this means | Links to Jigsaw PHSE |
Age | Where this is referred to, it refers to a person belonging to a particular age (for example 32 year olds) or range of ages (for example 18 to 30 year olds). | Celebrating Difference Ages 10-11 Piece 3: Power Struggles |
Gender reassignment | The process of transitioning from one gender to another. | Celebrating Difference Ages 5-6 Piece 6: Celebrating Me. Ages 7-8 Piece 5: Gender diversity Ages 8-9 Piece 1: Judging by appearances Ages 10-11 Piece 2: Understanding difference This is where it fits into our curriculum. However, it is taught as and when appropriate to individual cohorts. |
Being married or in a civil partnership | Marriage is no longer restricted to a union between a man and a woman but now includes a marriage between a same-sex couple. Same-sex couples can also have their relationships legally recognised as 'civil partnerships'. Civil partners must not be treated less favourably than married couples (except where permitted by the Equality Act). | Celebrating Difference Ages 7-8 Piece 1: Families |
Being pregnant or on maternity leave | Pregnancy is the condition of being pregnant or expecting a baby. Maternity refers to the period after the birth, and is linked to maternity leave in the employment context. In the non-work context, protection against maternity discrimination is for 26 weeks after giving birth, and this includes treating a woman unfavourably because she is breastfeeding. | Celebrating Difference Ages 3-4/4-5 Piece 3: Families Ages 7-8 Piece 1: Families |
Disability | A person has a disability if she or he has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and longterm adverse effect on that person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. | Celebrating Difference Ages 10-11 Piece 5: Celebrating difference |
Race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin | Refers to the protected characteristic of Race. It refers to a group of people defined by their race, colour, and nationality (including citizenship) ethnic or national origins. | Celebrating Difference Ages 9-10 Piece 2: Racism |
Religion, belief or lack of religion/belief | Religion has the meaning usually given to it but belief includes religious and philosophical beliefs including lack of belief (such as Atheism). Generally, a belief should affect your life choices or the way you live for it to be included in the definition. | Celebrating Difference Ages 9-10 Piece 1: Different Cultures |
Sex | A man or a woman. | Celebrating Difference Ages 6-7 Pieces 1&2: Boys and Girls |
Sexual orientation | Whether a person's sexual attraction is towards their own sex, the opposite sex or to both sexes. | Changing Me Ages 10-11 Piece 4: Boyfriends and girlfriends |