Promoting British Values
The DfE have recently reinforced the 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. At Phoenix Community Primary School these are reinforced regularly both across the school and through the 'taught' curriculum as 'Positive Values'.
ACROSS THE SCHOOL
DEMOCRACY
- Pupils have a voice within the school through the School Council;
- Annual election of School Councillors is based upon a democratic election process conducted in class;
- Pupils complete an annual survey to identify their perceptions of the school, strengths and areas for development.
THE RULE OF LAW
- School rules are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days and displayed across the school, 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;
- Consistent application of the principles of Restorative Justice through our school Behaviour for Learning Policy;
- Visits from authorities such as the Police; Fire Service, etc. are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.
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 young pupils to make choices safety, through of 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 e-Safety and PSHE lessons;
- Pupils are given the freedom to make choices, e.g. through choice of challenge, choice of reading books and of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities.
MUTUAL RESPECT
- The school ethos and behaviour policy revolves around Core Values such as ‘Respect’, and pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown.
- The importance of respect is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our Behaviour for Learning Policy.
TOLERANCE OF THOSE OF DIFFERENT FAITHS AND BELIEFS
- 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.
THROUGH THE 'TAUGHT' CURRICULUM
British Values are embedded across our school curriculum: for example, many of the texts we study in English cover themes such as tolerance, mutual respect and democracy. The children also study poetry, stories and languages from other cultures. Our Religious Education lessons reinforce the messages of tolerance and respect for others whilst as part of our History and Geography curriculums, the children learn about events in UK and World History and how different cultures live and work around the world.
Utilising the work from another school, there are 12 identified objectives relating to British Values and we are linking these to our whole school curriculum. Below is a summary of these curricular opportunities:
- To identify with different people and their cultures
- To respect the opinions and belief of other
- To uphold the rule of law
- To appreciate the importance of equality before the law
- To cherish the individual liberty afforded to citizens of these islands
- To support the principal of freedom of expression
- To have some understanding of how a democratic political system works
- To understand and exercise the importance of fair play
- To be committed to personal and social responsibilities
- To develop a sense of community and togetherness
- To be aware of significant personalities, events and turning points in our history
- To be conversant with examples of British creativity and/or culture
