In accordance with guidance from The Department for Education, we aim to actively promote Fundamental British values in our school to ensure learners 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
How do we promote these values at St. Peter’s CE Primary Primary School?
We actively promote all British values through:
- Focusing on and showing how the school’s work is effective in securing these values
- Challenging pupils, staff or parents who express opinions contrary to British values
We actively promote ‘Democracy’ through:
- Providing pupils with a broad general knowledge of, and promote respect for, public institutions and services, this includes regular visits from local councillors, Police and Fire Officers.
- Teaching pupils how they can influence decision-making through the democratic process, this includes visits to Parliament and election days for learners in school.
- Including in the curriculum information on the advantages and disadvantages of democracy and how it works in Britain, particularly when learning about Ancient Greece (KS2), Kings and Queens (KS1), Life in London (KS1).
- Encouraging pupils to become involved in decision-making processes and ensure they are listened to in school through our School and Worship councils.
- Holding ‘mock elections’ and debates so pupils learn how to argue and defend points of view.
- Helping pupils to express their views, and ensuring all have a voice.
- Modelling how perceived injustice can be respectfully and peacefully challenged.
- Utilising every opportunity for learners to share views and opinions in a constructive and purposeful way.
We actively promote ‘Rule of Law’ through:
- Ensuring school rules and expectations are clear and fair for all.
- Regularly reviewing Classroom rules and expectations with learners.
- Celebrating those who adhere to these rules and expectations consistently through special ‘Gold’ celebration days.
- Helping pupils to distinguish right from wrong.
- Helping pupils to respect the law and the basis on which it is made.
- Helping pupils to understand that living under the rule of law protects individuals, this is achieved through E-Safety sessions on Copyright and debates for example on the impact of graffiti.
- Organising regular visits from community police officers.
We actively promote ‘Individual Liberty’ through:
- Supporting pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence and offering a range of interventions such as Lego Therapy, Counselling and Nurture Groups to support learners who may find this more difficult.
- Encouraging pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour, as well as understanding their right to be listened to in all situations, as outlined in our Behaviour for Learning policy.
- Modelling freedom of speech through pupil participation, while ensuring protection of vulnerable pupils and promoting critical analysis of evidence, particularly through history where we critique accounts from the past.
- Challenging stereotypes and implementing a strong anti-bullying culture. This is achieved through PSHE topics on difference and diversity, Anti-Bullying week activities, Children’s Mental-Health week and regular reflection within collective worship.
- Teaching a comprehensive programme of E-Safety throughout the school, which encourages learners to reflect and critique their own online behaviours and what it says about them as individuals.
We actively promote ‘Respect and Tolerance’ through:
- Promoting respect for individual differences through regular collective worship and exposing learners to a variety of different cultures and beliefs throughout the curriculum.
- Helping pupils to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life through education and understanding of other cultures in RE and PSHE.
- Challenging prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour at all levels within our organisation.
- Not tolerating any form of discrimination within our school or community.
- Organising visits to contrasting localities and places of worship.
- Developing links with faith and other communities through RE and working alongside children and their families.
- Explicitly teaching learners to disagree well.
Alongside this, our school curriculum, enrichment and extra-curricular activities have been designed to support our promotion of these fundamental British values.
Please see our British Values Statement (below) which outlines specific ways in which we promote these values throughout every child’s learning adventure at St. Peter’s CE Primary School.