British Values
Teaching 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 Rushall Primary we reinforce these values regularly through whole school initiatives and year group teaching which is underpinned by strong links to the ethos of SMSC in the following ways:
Democracy
In addition to our whole school positive prompts, individual classes agree on a pledge and through the teaching of PSHE, the rights associated with these responsibilities. Several behaviour reward systems operate within classes and in the wider school community whereby individual pupils and groups are rewarded regularly through sticker charts, Class Dojos and team rewards for excellent behaviour, teamwork, showing respect and positive attitudes to learning.
In our weekly celebration assemblies, pupils from each year group are nominated by adults and their peers and awarded a ‘Star of the Week’ certificate for excellence in progress, positive behaviour and effort.
We actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures. Religious Education and PSHE lessons reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others.
Children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. Every pupil is involved in one of our 6 Pupil Leadership Teams who, facilitated by teachers, teaching assistants and Governors, meet regularly to develop initiatives in school. In addition to these teams, regular questionnaires are distributed to allow pupils to voice their opinion of meals, lunchtime activities and after school club choices and to initiate important changes to ensure an excellent quality of provision.
The Rule of Law
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 and Fire Service and PSHE lessons help reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty and Equality
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 advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. Pupils are given the freedom to make choices, whether it be through choice of learning challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs, booster sessions and other sporting opportunities.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
At Rushall Primary, mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect.
Rushall is situated in an area which is not greatly culturally diverse, therefore we place a great emphasis on promoting diversity with the children. Assemblies and collective worship are regularly planned to address this issue either directly or through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures. Our RE and PSHE teaching reinforce this. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their valuable knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. Children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths.
At Rushall, we will actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.