BRITISH VALUES​

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The DfE strongly encourages schools to provide opportunities for their pupils to explore and develop their understanding of the importance of British Values, as the DfE states that there is a need:

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“To create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values ….”

The government’s definition of “British Values” is:

• democracy

• the rule of law

• individual liberty

• mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and belief

 

We have embedded these values throughout our curriculum and within our school culture. As a school we recognise that our pupils need to be prepared for life in modern Britain; we value the diverse ethnic backgrounds of our pupils and families and find our curriculum to be enriching for all parties as it teaches tolerance and respect for the differences in our community as well as in the wider world. 

British Values in the Curriculum

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Our school reflects British values in a wide variety of ways as we aim to nurture our children on their journey through life so they can grow into safe, caring, democratic, responsible and tolerant adults who make a positive difference to British society and to the world. We encourage our children to be creative, unique, open-minded and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and of others in our school, our local community and the wider world.  Wherever possible, we incorporate a global perspective to the learning by introducing themes from the viewpoint of people in other countries within lessons as well as during assemblies and in our recognition of special days.

 

Democracy

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• Each year group from Y2 – Y6 have School and Eco council representatives as well as reading ambassadors. 

• All children are encouraged to express their views and make a meaningful contributions to the running of their class, year group and wider school community, on matters that directly involve pupils.  Children also have the opportunity to have their voices heard through pupil questionnaires and pupil surveys.

• The principle of democracy is explored in many areas of the curriculum. In Y3 the children are taught about human rights, building on their learning from previous year groups on the importance of being able to voice your opinion.

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Rule of Law

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• Class and school rules are clear, expectations are fair and these, alongside the school learning powers, are regularly promoted.

• Pupils are always helped to distinguish right from wrong in the classroom, around the school building, during assemblies and on the playground as well as when they are representing the school in the community.

• Pupils are encouraged to respect the law and annually we enjoy visits from authorities such as the Police, Fire Service, Coastguard, etc. to help reinforce this message.

• Our behaviour policy states a zero-tolerance approach for any form of aggression, abuse, bullying or violence, which extends to pupils, staff and parents and carers.

 

Individual Liberty

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• Pupils have key roles and responsibilities in school e.g.  prefects, play leaders, school council representatives in each class and eco reps in each class.

• Pupils are supported to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence through emphasis on our school’s ‘learning powers’ and growth mindsets.

• Pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour and our pastoral support reinforces the importance of making the right choices through restorative practice and the  zones of regulation.

• Vulnerable pupils are protected and stereotypes are challenged.  A strong anti-bullying culture is embedded in the school and any form of bullying is challenged and addressed.  The school also operates a robust system of logging incidents.

 

Mutual Respect & Tolerance

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• Pupils are helped to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life.

• Staff and pupils are encouraged to challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour.

• Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying are regularly held.

• Links and visits are promoted with local faith communities and places of worship. Members of different faiths or religions are invited to school to share their knowledge and enhance learning within assemblies and in class. (These have included Hannukah, Christmas & Easter)

• Through the PSHE and RE curriculums pupils are encouraged to discuss and respect differences between people such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability and gender and differences in family situations.

• We offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which all major religions are studied and respected and work with a global dimension is embedded in many of our humanities topics and language lessons (French).  

• School assemblies are timetabled to specifically focus on a key aspect related to British Values, with children across the school learning about why it is relevant and important to their lives. Assemblies also cover key religious festivals across the year along with themes regarding friendship, tolerance and respect.

 

Beyond the Curriculum

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• The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced

• ‘Head for the Day’ takes place each year, allowing pupils to experience democracy in action when they vote for a pupil to run the school for a day. They take part in campaigns and place their own confidential vote based on the manifesto they support.

• There are a range of extra-curricular clubs and sporting opportunities through which pupils are given the freedom to make choices, learn or demonstrate a skill, as they work as part of team and represent the school.