Promoting British Values

Democracy is rife within the school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council and Pupil questionnaires. Discussion and debate is part of our curriculum and takes place from the very youngest classes.

The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. 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. Visits from authorities such as the Police, Fire Service, etc. are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.

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 young pupils to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our Online Safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it be through choice of challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around Core Values and ethos words such as ‘Respectful’ and ‘Accepting’. Pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. Respect is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our behaviour policy.

This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. We have visitors from different faith groups including humanism. Our school values of respect and tolerance reinforce this British Value