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Ethos & Values

Our Aims 

To create opportunities for all young people, regardless of needs, to develop their full potential.

Brookfield aims to be a school where commitment, participation, involvement and achievement are expected of all.

  • A school where Learning and Teaching are at the heart of what we do.  Where there is a high level of challenge in classrooms, but where there is still room for laughter and fun.  Where teachers seek to innovate and ideas are welcomed as the natural currency of learning.  A school where everyone is passionate about learning.
  • A school where there is clarity of purpose.  Where students know what their objectives are and all positive pursuits of those objectives are rewarded – high levels of attendance, positive behaviour, effort or attainment.
  • A school that knows what each student is capable of and seeks to ensure that every student has the opportunity to enjoy achievement.  Where information regarding student progress is shared regularly with learners and with parents.  Where students are encouraged to be responsible for their own progress.
  • A school that is in the heart of its community and aims to communicate positively and directly with it.  A school that recognises that in all policies and procedures, simplicity is a virtue.
  • A school that recognises mistakes as part of a learning process – a school where everyone has the desire to succeed but the courage to fail, and praise and encouragement are the natural currency between staff and students, students and their peers and staff and their colleagues.
  • A school where students value and support each other, and regularly join together to help others.  Where students are encouraged to make a positive contribution to their community.
  • A school that is alive with creativity – sport, art, drama, music and song, language, experimentation, understanding, empathy, warmth and fun.  A school that promotes the health and well-being of all and the development of the whole person.

British Values 

Promoting British Values

In September 2014, The Department for Education introduced a statutory duty for schools to promote British Values and to ensure that they are actively promoted and followed in schools.

Brookfield Community School is committed to excellence both academically and pastorally and is proud to serve its community. It recognises the multicultural, multi-faith nature of the UK and the fact that society is forever changing in its nature. It also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them. The school follows equal opportunities' guidance to prevent discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. We are dedicated to preparing students for their adult life beyond the formal examined curriculum and ensuring that we promote and reinforce British values with all our students.

The Government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools. The government set out its definition of British Values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.

The five British Values are:

  • Democracy
  • The rule of law
  • Individual liberty
  • Mutual respect
  • Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

Brookfield Community School uses strategies within the National curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for students. The examples that follow show some ways in which our school seeks to embed British values.

Democracy

Democracy can be seen as a state of society characterised by equality of rights and privileges. It can also refer to our nation’s electoral systems.

In school, we promote democracy through such things as:

  • The fair election process for student positions of responsibility
  • Seeking student voice on key school decisions and as part of the quality assurance processes in school
  • Providing leadership opportunities through programmes such as; Sports and Language Leaders, Prefects and School Council Members.
  • The principle of democracy is also explored in aspects of the formal curriculum as well as in tutor time and assemblies.
The Rule of Law

All people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law that is fairly applied and enforced.

In school, we promote the importance of the rule of law through such things as:

  • The school Code of Conduct and Behaviour for Learning Policy
  • The use of rewards and sanctions for students’ choices in their behaviour
  • Pastoral support and intervention, such as restorative justice practice, to resolve conflict
  • Aspects of the curriculum, tutor time and assemblies that explore the reasons behind laws that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.
  • Liaison with external agencies and authorities such as the Police and Fire Service to reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty

Individual Liberty suggests the free exercise of rights generally seen as outside government control.

In school, we promote the importance of individual liberty through such things as:

  • The Anti-Bullying Policy and culture for all students and staff, allowing the opportunity for individual choices in a safe and supportive environment
  • A wide choice of co-curricular activities and clubs available to all students
  • Encouraging students to share their views and opinions in lessons in a formative manner
  • Offering opportunities for freedom of speech and expression through mediums such as the school council representatives, newsletter and surveys/student voice activities.

Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on; how to exercise these safely, for example through Online Safety and form time work plus assemblies.

Mutual Respect

Mutual respect is the proper regard for an individual’s dignity, which is reciprocated.

In school, we promote the importance of mutual respect through such things as:

  • Our classroom rules, followed in all areas of the school
  • The range of support available to students who are facing difficulties
  • The example that staff set in the way they behave towards each other and to students
  • Teaching students that their behaviour has an effect on their own rights and those of others
  • The development of skills through visits and trips at home and abroad, work experience placements and tutorials, our broad and balanced curriculum
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

The school expects all students, staff, governors, parents and volunteers working with the school to have a fair, objective and permissive attitude to those whose faith and beliefs may differ from one’s own.

In school, we promote this through such things as:

  • Opportunities for students to experience other cultures through foreign trips, international visitors and links with schools abroad
  • Encouraging students to share their faith and beliefs within the school
  • The Religious Studies' curriculum which provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions and cultures
  • A strong SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural) element in assemblies and in form time tutor sessions.

Brookfield Community School strives to ensure that its students are committed to excellence and leave with the strongest foundation of values upon which to build a successful life both academically and pastorally, being able to successfully contribute to our society.

Redhill Academy Trust

Redhill Academy Trust is a thriving and ambitious community of schools providing a broad spectrum of education for children and young people across Nottinghamshire and North Derbyshire. The origin of Redhill Academy Trust lies with The Redhill Academy, an outstanding secondary school in Arnold, Nottingham. The Trust has now grown to encompass 15 academies across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, providing excellent education for over 11,000 children in nursery, infant, junior, secondary and post-16 settings. We are also a regional leader in teacher training and high-quality professional development which we deliver through the DfE designated Redhill Teaching Hub and also the Redhill College of Leadership & Development.

As a locally based Trust, we take pride in serving our communities. We have a clear purpose of improving children’s futures and contributing to positive social mobility in the region. We believe in high aspirations, high expectations and high achievement for all – from the very youngest children in our nurseries, to students and sixth formers forging their own bright futures. Each of our schools is unique, but they all promote an ethos of equality and achievement through a mission to ensure that all local children have the chance to achieve their full potential, whatever their background and starting points.

It is our vision that Redhill Academy Trust can continue to grow and broaden our reach over time, providing better outcomes for even more young people in the future.

Our Core Principles
 
We value teamwork, honesty, transparency and industry in helping to achieve our core purpose of ‘Equality and Achievement’. We believe in high aspirations, high expectations and high achievement for all.
 
We have five principles that guide everything our academies aim to achieve:
  • We promote high expectations for all our students
  • We are committed to equality and diversity
  • We value and celebrate academic achievement
  • We aim to widen students' experiences
  • We provide outstanding teaching
Find out more about us at www.redhillacademytrust.org.uk

Andrew Burns, CEO, Redhill Academy Trust

Simon Healy, Chair of Executive Board, Redhill Academy Trust

 

Modern Slavery Statement 

This statement is made pursuant to section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, for the financial year ending 31 August 2021.

Introduction

Redhill Academy Trust (the Trust) is a growing Multi-Academy Trust. At August 2020, it comprised fifteen academy schools located in Nottinghamshire, Nottingham City and Derbyshire, around 1,500 employees and an annual turnover in excess of £50m. It procures services and goods from third party providers predominantly based within the UK.

In line with our core values, the Trust is committed to ensuring there is no modern slavery or human trafficking within any part of its business or supply chain.

Modern-slavery policy

The Trust’s Modern Slavery Policy was produced in consultation with key stakeholders and recognised Trade Unions, and approved by the Trust Board in May 2018. It is published under the policy section of our website.

Raising awareness

All colleagues were briefed when the policy was launched, and academies have been requested to include this in the induction process for all new staff.

Throughout the year, various communications / activities have taken place to raise awareness with both colleagues and pupils / students; for example, the Academies have provided lessons on practical human trafficking issues to students.

Each Academy undertakes annual child protection training with all staff, including information on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.

Each Academies Child Protection Policy explicitly raises details and raises awareness on Modern Slavery and human trafficking.

Due diligence in relation to slavery & human trafficking in its business

The Trust employs people solely within England. Our recruitment processes are set out in our Safer Recruitment Policy and ensure that all prospective employees are legally entitled to work in the UK. A copy of the policy is on our website here.

Each academy has an annual safeguarding audit, conducted by an internal safeguarding consultant and twice yearly external audits.

Due diligence in relation to slavery in its supply chain

The Trust’s Financial Regulations include reference to the Modern Slavery Act in relation to procurement.

The Trust seeks excellence in every area of the organisation and strives to ensure the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and ethical business practice. We are committed to conducting our business in a lawful manner and this includes engaging with our suppliers to ensure that they share our high standards. We buy a wide range of external goods and services, including construction services and supplies, furniture and stationery, electronics (computers, audio visual etc), food and catering supplies, travel services, laboratory supplies (equipment, chemicals etc), books, cleaning services, printing and waste and recycling services and do so in accordance with public procurement law. A large proportion is bought through frameworks established by collaborative consortia. We expect our suppliers to fulfil their obligations to comply with the provisions of the Modern Slavery Act. Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking are included within our new supplier risk assessment and due diligence procedures.

Safeguarding

We take safeguarding incredibly seriously in upholding our statutory duties and striving to safeguard staff and pupils through a culture of safeguarding in everything we do. We have a Trust Safeguarding Lead reporting to the Executive Board and a Safeguarding Officer ensuring compliance across the Trust, as well as Designated Safeguarding Leaders in every academy. Collectively these colleagues work together to implement policy and secure excellence in safeguarding practice across the Trust. These colleagues are incredibly experienced in this area and model excellent practice for all staff. Through their encouragement, each academy proactively works with the local authorities, the LADO and local stakeholders to combat safeguarding issues, including child sexual exploitation and human trafficking. Their good practice is shared amongst the Academies, through regular network meetings and the focus of safeguarding training always includes detailed training about early identification of those at risk of exploitation.

Safeguarding is a regular agenda item at full Board of Trustees Meeting and we have a named Trustee with portfolio responsibility for Safeguarding. 

Our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy is reviewed annually by the Executive Leadership Team and the Board of Trustees. It is fully compliant with all statutory requirements and guidance set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education (DfE 2020). Throughout the Covid 19 pandemic we have issued Addendums to this policy in accordance with updated guidance and requirements issued by Government.

Policies, Procedures and Training

The Trust reviews policies and procedures on an ongoing basis to ensure they remain compliant and fit for purpose. The Trust has a suite of policies that effectively mitigate the risk of slavery and human trafficking taking place within its business or supply chains and provide support to staff. 

These policies are:

  • Safer Recruitment Policy
  • Risk Management Strategy
  • Whistleblowing Policy
  • Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
  • Staff Conduct Policy

Focus in our academies on slavery

All our academies work towards raising awareness of slavery & human trafficking through:

  • Induction Processes
  • Educating colleagues, pupils & students, and parents / carers
  • Child protection / family support work, where human trafficking has been highlighted as a high risk in some academies.

This statement covers all Academies within the Redhill Academy Trust including:

  • The Redhill Academy
  • The Carlton Academy
  • Hall Park Academy
  • The Oakwood Academy
  • Park Vale Academy
  • South Nottinghamshire Academy
  • Colonel Frank Seely Academy
  • The Carlton Junior Academy
  • The Carlton Infant Academy
  • The Bolsover School
  • Robert Mellors Primary Academy
  • Brookfield Community School
  • Tupton Hall School
  • Tupton Primary & Nursery Academy
  • North Wingfield Primary Academy

Declaration

This statement has been approved by Redhill Academy Trust Board of Directors and is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.