British Values

 

 

PROMOTING FUNDAMENTAL BRITISH VALUES AS PART OF SMSC IN SCHOOLS

'All maintained schools are expected to promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development of their pupils.  Through ensuring pupils' SMSC development, schools can also demonstrate they are actively promoting fundamental British Values' (DFE, November 2014)

 

British Values

  • democracy
  • rule of law
  • individual liberty
  • mutual respect
  • tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

 

What are British Values? Please click on the link to find out more

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIC1fb5OqMA

 

We actively promote British values through

Focusing on and showing how the school’s work is effective in securing these values

Challenging pupils, staff, visitors or parents who express opinions contrary to British values

 

Democracy – what do we do?

  • Class voting for the election of school councillors at the start of the year;
  • Provide pupils with a broad general knowledge of, and promote respect for, public institutions and services;
  • Teach pupils how they can influence decision-making through the democratic process;
  • Taught through assemblies and our school curriculum;
  • Encourage pupils to become involved in decision-making processes and ensure they are listened to in school;
  • Help pupils to express their views through the pupil voice questionnaire
  • Model how perceived injustice can be peacefully challenged;
  • Pupils vote for various items or issues during the year - Question of the Month

 

Rule of law – what do we do?

  • Whole school rules are created by the children with the support of the adults.
  • School rules and expectations are clear and fair;
  • Children take ownership of and create their own set of class rules/class charter. Celebration of adhering to these rules;
  • Help pupils to distinguish right from wrong through discrete PSHE lessons and pastoral care;
  • Help pupils to respect the law and the basis on which it is made;
  • Help pupils to understand that living under the rule of law protects individuals;
  • Explore within our PSHE sessions laws and what to do if peer pressure is trying to persuade children to break these;
  • Regular visits from the police e.g. road safety, speeding, keeping yourself safe online.

 

Individual liberty – what do we do?

  • Support pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem, self-confidence;
  • Pastoral care sessions for children who are displaying low self - esteem/self - confidence
  • Encourage pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour, as well as knowing their rights;
  • Model freedom of speech through pupil participation, while ensuring protection of vulnerable pupils and promoting critical analysis of evidence
  • Challenge stereotypes;
  • Implement a strong anti-bullying culture;
  • Online Safety units of work are taught through our PSHE Programme, SCARF
  • Police visits- Online Safety

 

Mutual Respect and tolerance of different cultures and religions– what do we do?

  • One of the six core values of the school is respect;
  • The school has designed an intent and implementation for equality and diversity in our school;
  • Our curriculum explores different cultures, faiths and beliefs 
  • Our RE Programme ensures that our children have a good understanding of a range of religious beliefs and customs;
  • Explore positive role models (where possible) through the topics in our curriculum;
  • Challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour;
  • Whole school focus on important days of the year, for example, Diwali and Christmas;
  • Help pupils to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life;
  • To support children in meeting the core values of the school