British Values
Promoting British Values at Broughton Primary School.
The Department for Education states that there is a need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to 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.”
The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy and these values were reiterated by the Prime Minister in 2014. At Broughton Primary School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways.
Democracy
Democracy is embedded at the school. Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. Pupils also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas through our School Council and regular questionnaires. The elections of School Council members are based solely on pupil votes, reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced. Our school has ‘Golden Rules’, which are deeply embedded in our work every day. Each class also discusses and sets its own rules that are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment. Our pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.
Individual Liberty
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an empowering education. Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely; examples of this can be clearly seen in our e-safety and R.H.E. lessons. Whether it is through choice of challenge; of how they record; of participation in our numerous extra-curricular activities; our pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual Respect
Respect is one of the core values of our school. The pupils know and understand that it is expected and imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have and to everything, however big or small. The core value of Respect at Broughton Primary School underpins our work every day both in and out of the classroom.
Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs
Our core value of Respect ensures tolerance of those who have different faiths and beliefs. Broughton Primary School enhances pupils understanding of different faiths and beliefs through religious education studies; R.H.E. work and celebrating different religious festivals such as Diwali, which the children thoroughly enjoy.
British Value Themes being taught across the school:
We ensure the children have a secure understanding of what British Values are and importantly how they can relate to them. We have regular assemblies on the core themes of British Values. In addition to this each year group studies one of the themes in more detail. Below is some of the work that has been completed:
Reception Class - Rule of Law:
In Reception, we have been learning about what is right and what is wrong. We have class rules and we know and understand the reasons for our class rules: that they help us respect each other and keep us safe. We had a visit from the police and we understand and respect the roles of people who help us.
Year 1 - Respect:
During our lessons, we learnt about respect. We understand that we have to respect many things including our family, teachers, the school, our toys and pets and also we must respect our planet.
Year 2 - Democracy:
In Year 2, we have been learning about democracy. We discussed that democracy means that people rule our country and that voting is fair because nobody can see who we are voting for. If we persuaded people who they had to vote for, then it wouldn’t be fair.
Year 3 - Tolerance:
We understand that everyone is unique and we treat everyone with respect. We have tolerance towards other people that have different religions and beliefs.
Year 4 - Democracy:
We have been learning that democracy is a fair way of voting for something; it could be voting for the next Prime Minister in a General Election or voting in the classroom to see who goes first or who will be the school council representative.
Year 5 - Tolerance:
In Year 5, we have discussed what tolerance means, we understand that people belong to different faiths and that we all worship in different places. We are tolerant of different people’s religions and faiths.
Year 6 - Individual Liberty:
We have been learning about individual liberty. This means that we have the right to make decisions about our behaviour and what we do, within boundaries, for example in the classroom or the school rules. Although it doesn’t mean that we can do what we want, it means that we are free to do what is right.
