British Values

British Values

In November 2014 the DfE produced guidance for schools on actively promoting British values as part of the requirement to provide for the spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development of their pupils.

Schools should promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

Our cross curricular approach to the curriculum allows us to explore these issues through a range of themes throughout the year. (Please see the class topic plans) More specifically we would seek to reinforce these values in the following ways:

Democracy

• Through the yearly election of a School Council whose members will collect the views of and report back to their class.
• The collection of pupil perception data on a range of subjects
• Children being asked to interview each other as part of class and whole school work.
• Pupil participation in school events, the daily Collective Act of Worship and extra-curricular activities.
• Visits to the Houses of Parliament as a part of topic work.

The Rule of Law

• Discussion about and respect of our whole school Behaviour Policy
• The code of conduct core values of respect, learning and safety.
• The reinforcement of positive behaviour in assemblies with team points and headteacher certificates.
• The Christian Values which form the basis of our CAW throughout the year and which are displayed in every classroom.
• The comparison and analysis of rules and laws as a part of topic work.

Individual Liberty

• We encourage the children to take responsibility for their actions through the choices they make on a daily basis.
• We encourage the children to make choices through their participation in extra- curricular activities and the additional opportunities that are available.
• We discuss the freedom to make the choices that are safe, appropriate and free of political indoctrination in PSHE and E Safety lessons.
• In our exploration of topics we discuss the historical and geographical variations in personal liberty that exist and have existed in the past and exist today around the world.

Mutual Respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

• We provide a safe environment for children to share worries, concerns and talk about their feelings.
• Our code of conduct is centred on the core belief of respect.
• Our Christian Values include respect and reverence.
• We teach and encourage a respect for British Culture through the celebration of festivals, events and local and national cultural customs.
• We aim to foster links with and promote respect for the local community through the children participating in social and cultural events eg Remembrance Day, Sunday Church Services.
• Aspects of different faiths and the celebration of cultural festivals are explored in RE lessons
• We explore the issues of respect and bullying in PSHE lessons
• Through our partnership with Buhumba Primary School, Uganda the children have found out and explored a different culture with the opportunity to experience first-hand when teachers from Buhumba have visited school.
• The children and their parents are encouraged to talk about their own personal experiences of travel around the world.
• Through charity and fund raising appeals (often suggested by the children) we encourage the children to demonstrate a sense of responsibility for those less fortunate than themselves.