British Values

The DFE expects all schools to play a part in preparing pupils positively for life in modern Britain and promoting the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and those without faith.

We actively promote the British values through our school ethos and culture, our curriculum (including RE and PSHE) and by engaging our pupils in wider curriculum events throughout the year.

What do the 'Fundamental British Values' look like in our school?

Democracy 

Pupil voice is embedded in the life of the school through:

• Votes for School assemblies and lessons

• Voting in the classroom - voting for class responsibilities, setting carrot reward activities, debating questions, persuasive writing tasks

• School council 

• Questionnaires - about teaching and learning, well-being, after visits, or special events     

Pupils are listened to and are expected to listen to and respect the views of others.

 The Rule of Law 

An understanding of British Law is developed through our curriculum and assemblies.

 Our Golden Rules ensure our community is a safe and respectful environment for all, promotes positive relationships and excellent behaviour.

• Each class displays the Golden Rules and knows how they apply in all areas of the school

• Playground games - children develop and agree the rules together

• Playground Buddies to support children in following the rules

• Following rules in PE and understanding why these are important

• Visits from PCSO, Community Warden etc.

Individual Liberty and mutual respect

Our pupils are encouraged to make choices in a safe and supportive environment.

• Children contribute to planning  when they ask: what do we know/what do we want to find out/how?

• Our approach to behaviour management - giving children choices through conflict resolution processes

• Children are offered choices about after school clubs

• Through discussions in PSHE, class assemblies and circle time activities

• Actively demonstrating our school values

• Buddy systems - Playground Buddies, Nurture Buddies

Respect and tolerance of different beliefs and faiths

Through our curriculum and special events children are taught to understand and appreciate the diverse culture in our society. This is explored through:

• Assemblies

• RE and PSHE lessons

• Involvement with the local community e.g. Harvest Festival at the Church, visits to local places of worship

• Planning activities around national and world celebrations or events e.g. religious festivals, raising money for charity, Remembrance day, Harvest, Diwali, Eid

• Developing an understanding of the importance of identifying and combating discrimination - The school works with a number of outside agencies and participates in national events to promote inclusion: Women’s Aid, School Nurse Team, Safer Internet Day, Anti bullying week

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development (SMSC)

We believe that SMSC is about developing the whole child through spiritual, moral, social and cultural activities in an environment which enables all children to grow and flourish, become confident individuals and appreciate their own worth and that of others.

 The spiritual development of pupils is shown by their:

• Ability to be reflective about their own beliefs, religious or otherwise, that inform their perspective on life and their interest in, and respect for, different people's faiths, feelings and values

• Sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them

• Use of imagination and creativity in their learning

• Willingness to reflect on their experiences

 We promote spiritual development through:

• Our RE Curriculum

• Assemblies

• Reflection time in class

• Planned creative curriculum activities

• Prayer or 'Thought of the Day'

• Listening to music and participating in singing lessons

 Pupils' moral development is shown by their:

• Ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong and to readily apply this understanding in their own lives, recognise legal boundaries and, in so doing, respect the civil and criminal law of England

• Understanding of the consequences of their behaviour and actions

• Interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues and ability to understand an appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues

We promote moral development through:

• Our Golden Rules

• Assemblies and Circle Times

• Debating moral issues within the curriculum and our PSHE lessons

• Exploring moral stories in Reading and Writing lessons, including stories with dilemmas

• Including fair-trade issues in topics

 Pupils' social development is shown by their:

• Use of a range of social skills in different contexts, for example working and socialising with other pupils, including those from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds

• Willingness to participate in a variety of communities and social settings, including by volunteering cooperating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively

• Acceptance and engagement with the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs; they develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain

 We promote social development through:

• Our Golden Rules and Golden Time

• Circle Times and our PSHE lessons

• Play Leaders supporting their younger peers 

• Nurture programme

• A range of extra-curricular activities 

• Opportunities to vote for School Council

• Participating in local community events such as: Sports competitions, Community Centre events

• Planned off-site visits to enhance learning

• Participation in events such as anti-bullying week, raising money for charity

 Pupils' cultural development is shown by their:

• Understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and those of others

• Understanding and appreciation of the range of different cultures within school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain

• Knowledge of Britain's democratic parliamentary system and its central role in shaping our history and values, and in continuing to develop Britain

• Willingness to participate in and respond positively to artistic, musical, sporting and cultural opportunities

• Interest in exploring, improving understanding of and showing respect for different faiths and cultural diversity and the extent to which they understand, accept respect and celebrate diversity, as shown by their tolerance and attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities.

 We promote cultural development through:

• The curriculum and learning about different countries, cultures, festivals and people who have shaped our own culture and beyond

• Celebrating our different cultures and languages in school

• Assemblies

• Participation in local cultural events like Remembrance Day, Harvest Festival

• Our RE curriculum

• Our History and Geography curriculum