British Values

Promoting Fundamental British Values

 

In accordance with The Department for Education we aim to actively promote British values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. Pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law.

 

The Key Values are:

 

• democracy
• rule of law
• individual liberty
• mutual respect
• tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs 

 

Opportunities to promote British Values are identified in each unit of work across the curriculum we also teach it through the actions below...

Democracy – what do we do?

• Whole school voting opportunities
• Provide pupils with a broad general knowledge of, and promote respect for, public institutions and services;
• Teach pupils how they can influence decision-making through the democratic process;
• Taught through assemblies and our school curriculum;
• Encourage pupils to become involved in decision-making processes and ensure they are listened to in school;
• Help pupils to express their views;
• Model how perceived injustice can be peacefully challenged;
• Pupils vote for new playground equipment, changes to school menus and how we spend certain grants and PTFA funding;
• KS2 workshops provided by the Houses of Parliament Education Team (including a question and answer session with our local MP);

Rule of law – what do we do?

• Ensure school rules and expectations are clear and fair;
• Class rules and celebration of adhering to these rules;
• Help pupils to distinguish right from wrong;
• Help pupils to respect the law and the basis on which it is made;
• Help pupils to understand that living under the rule of law protects individuals;
• Explore within our PHSE-Rights and responsibilities Lessons laws and what to do if peer pressure is trying to persuade children to break these;
• Promote the Rights Respecting School Articles (on policies, around school, in assemblies etc);
• Refer to the Equality Act 2010 as part of our No Outsiders ethos.
• Annual visit from police to take about their role and the rule of law.

Individual liberty – what do we do?

• Support pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem, self-confidence;
• Encourage pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour, as well as knowing their rights;
• Model freedom of speech through pupil participation, while ensuring protection of vulnerable pupils and promoting critical analysis of evidence
• Challenge stereotypes;
• Implement a strong anti-bullying culture;
• E-Safety units of work are taught throughout school and parents and staff receive training on these.

Mutual Respect and tolerance of different cultures and religions– what do we do?

• Explore the protected characteristics of the 2010 Equality Act to promote respect for individual differences and to actively challenge stereotypes;
• Explore positive role models (where possible) through our topics who reflect the protected characteristics of the 2010 Equality Act;
• Challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour;
• Organise visits to places of worship (where possible)
• Recognise and celebrate key faith celebrations and those related to children of different cultures and religions in our school i.e. Chinese new year, Eid,Diwali.
• Our RE scheme ensures that our children have a good understanding of a range of religious beliefs and customs;
• Help pupils to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life;
• Links to other schools across the trust and international school links
• Use of oracy hand gesture to disagree in a respectful way with the answers of others whilst in class.