Fundamental British Values
British Values
The Department for Education in November 2014 published guidance on promoting British values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain.
All schools have a duty to ‘actively 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. These values were first set out by the government in the ‘Prevent’ strategy in 2011.
At All Saints C of E Primary School, we strive to ensure these values are embedded in school and reinforced regularly. These values are not mutually exclusive to the Christian values and ethos we encourage and nurture as a church school, exemplified in our school vision and aims.
In the following ways All Saints C of E Primary School aims to:
“Create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation 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.”
Christian Values
As a Church of England school, Christian values underpin our ethos. Our biblical root and school values permeate in all areas of school life and the creative curriculum that we teach.
Reflection time is an important part of our school life. As a Church school, we re-enforce British Values through our collective worship which is strongly Christian. We have close links with our local church (All Saints Church), where children experience British Christian church services at various times throughout the year and weekly, through our worship with Rev David Dickinson.
Throughout our RE curriculum, we promote British Christian values and educate our pupils about the faiths and beliefs of people from different countries and organisations. We believe that our Christian identity plays an important role in upholding British Values within our school community.
Democracy
Article 15 “Children have the right to meet together and to join groups and organisations, as long as this does not stop other people from enjoying their rights.
Democracy is widespread within the school. We have a school council which meets regularly to discuss a variety of issues. Candidates in KS2 prepare and give a speech to their peers outlining why they should be elected on to the council. They are nominated by and voted for by their class. The school council is instrumental in actively listening to the opinions and views of others. They decide upon and vote for charities to support and in organising charity activities to raise money and work alongside the PSHE subject leader.
Pupil voice is an integral part of our learning processes. For example, the school council was part of the selection process when recruiting a new headteacher and the children are asked for their views relating to different subject areas; where they are provided with opportunities to assess and develop the school curriculum. Our children also engage in the process of debate as part of PSHE and through other areas of the curriculum.
Within our curriculum provision our children are taught about and encouraged to respect public institutions and services. As a church school we have strong links and respect for the church as an institution. The understanding and respect of the institution of marriage is explored in both KS1 and KS2 RE curriculum.
The Rule of LawArticle 28 “Children have a right to an education. Discipline in schools should respect children’s human dignity.”
At All Saints C of E Primary School, the importance of laws are held in high regard both those that govern classroom and school life or the country. Children’s experience of being part of a school community means they learn to live by guidelines and rules that make for safe and fulfilling relationships for all, as well as ensuring that every child is provided with a safe and stimulating environment in which they feel secure, happy and cared for. This is summarised in our schools values and our Mission Statement which embodies our biblical root ‘We are God’s handiwork’, stating ‘What you are is God’s gift to you, what you become is your gift to God’.
The children are therefore taught the values and reasons behind school rules, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when rules are broken. As a result of foundations as a church school, children develop their understanding of the role of rules to govern society through the learning about the Ten Commandments and the five pillars of Islam as part of the RE curriculum.
Individual Liberty
Article 12 “Children have the right to say what they think should happen when adults are making decisions that affect them, and have their opinions taken into account.”
All Saints 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 advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our on-line safety and PSHE lessons.
We provide all pupils with opportunities to make them grow through exciting and challenging learning experiences; ensuring that all achieve their potential as they develop and soar in their lifelong learning. Within lessons, learning is personalised according to our children’s needs and abilities. They understand they may have to take appropriate risks and are encouraged to challenge themselves. Individual successes for both in school achievements, and outside of school activities, are acknowledged in our weekly ‘All Saints Got Talent’ assembly, where parents are encouraged to attend to celebrate their child’s accomplishments with the rest of the school.
Children are encouraged to participate in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities where pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Through our On-line Safety, RE and PSHE and Collective Worship, we educate children on their rights and personal freedoms as well as supporting them in recognising how to exercise these freedoms safely.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
Article 30 “Children have a right to learn the language and customs of their families whether these are shared by the majority of people in the country or not” and Article 14 “Children have the right to think and believe what they want and to practise their religion, as long as they are not stopping other people from enjoying their rights. Parents should guide their children on these matters.”
As a Church of England school, Christian values underpin our ethos. The pupils know and understand that it is expected and imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have. Our school values are woven throughout every aspect of the life and work of our school resulting in there being a harmonious ethos. Our values of Love, Friendship, Loyalty, Honesty, Determination and Responsibility place Mutual Respect at the very centre of our school. Our school values form our themes for our collective worship throughout the year and our ‘Stars of the Week’ are awarded certificates, based on them displaying them throughout the week. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the wider school community treat each other with respect and the RE curriculum makes provision for children to understand and respect those of different faiths and beliefs. Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity, which is further reinforced through our RE and PSHE curriculum.
As a church school we regularly visit our local village church to hold school services at Christmas, Easter and Harvest.
All children in school actively become involved supporting a variety of charities throughout the school year. For example, Save the Children, Children in Need, Sports/Comic Relief and NSPCC.