Fundamental British Values

Promoting Fundamental British Values

In accordance with The Department for Education we aim to actively promote British values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. Pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law.

 

The Key Values are:

• Democracy
• Rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect
• Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

 

These are predominantly taught through our PSHE curriculum, assemblies and through our pupil leadership including Pupil Parliament and School Council. The children are taught about the definitions and how this is now applied to everyday life to ensure it is relevant. Work with British Values is then linked closely to our own school principles, underpinning high expectations and aspirations for our pupils.

 

Democracy

• We teach how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process.
• We have an elected School Council. This is used as an opportunity to promote and teach respect about democracy and the electoral process.
• The School Council represent the school in decision making for supporting local and national charities.
• The beginnings of democracy are taught through historical research of Ancient Greece/Roman civilisations and the changing role of British monarchs.
• Democracy is also promoted through additional PSHE lessons, circle times, assemblies and visitors.
• At Kirkstead, we have an elected Year 6 Duty Supervisor who nominates themselves and has to persuade others to vote for them.
• We encourage volunteerism providing responsibilities within classrooms and around the school. Children are trained as Mini Leaders who lead play at break time and volunteers as Reading Advocates, Fruit Trolley Supervisors and Classroom Helpers.

 

The Rule of Law

• We teach pupil to appreciate that living under the rule of law in Britain protects individual citizens and is essential for their well-being and safety.
• We have high expectations about pupil conduct and this is reflected in our praise-led behaviour policy. There are rewards for exhibiting responsible actions and respectful behaviour; demonstration of our values is recognised through such things as Pupil of the Week, Work of the Week, Class Dojo points, stickers and our Celebration Assemblies.
• Through our school values and collective worship, children are supported to develop a strong sense of morality, taught how to earn trust and respect, learning how to make positive choices even when it is difficult.
• We encourage the local police officer/PCSO to visit the school to talk to the children and explain about their role in society.
• Community groups and Derbyshire Road Safety teams come into school to talk about responsibilities children have in their local community.
• The Fire Service come into school to talk about safety in and out of the home.
• The school’s own Safeguarding Policy is our guide to best practice.
• Classes are encouraged to make their own suggestions for change through suggestion boxes and circle time.
• Children have the opportunity to take part in Bikeability which supports them to make sensible decisions when in the local community and keep themselves safe.
• Online safety is explicitly taught through ‘Cybersense’
• Our planning is cross-curricular and includes ‘real life’ situations including those linked to laws e.g. work on oil spills.

 

Individual Liberty

• Through our school values, collective worship and PSHCE programme, children are taught about personal responsibility, choices, ambition and aspiration. They are encouraged to take opportunities to follow their interests in art, music, sport and participate in extra-curricular activities offered including sport.
• Children are given opportunities to engage in a range of sporting activities during competitions, their lunchtimes and after school.
• Children are taught how to keep themselves safe, including online. This is done through computing lessons, collective worship and outside organisations, as well as through the PSHCE curriculum.
• Our school has a Forest School group, Positive Play and Interventions which give tailored pastoral support.
• Our work to prevent bullying is on-going with a clear Anti-Bullying Policy throughout the school community.
• Children have the opportunity to take part in Bikeability which supports them to make sensible decisions when in the local community and keep themselves safe.
• Children have the opportunity to take part in residential visits in Year 2, Year 4 and Year 6.
• Local community members attend school to talk about the area in the past and those people and events within it.

 

Mutual Respect

• Children are taught to understand the importance of identifying and combating discrimination.
• We have high expectations about pupil conduct and this is reflected in our Behaviour Policy and Equal Opportunities Policy.
• RE planning has explicit links to respect.
• Curriculum planning gives children opportunities to develop mutual respect including work on protecting the environment and supporting the community.
• Children are taught to respect each other, to be co-operative and collaborative and to look for similarities while being understanding of differences.
• Mutual respect is also promoted through additional PSHCE lessons and collective worship.
• There is no difference in the way any of our children and their families are treated. We celebrate our diverse community including EAL and those from the travelling communities.
• Each year group takes part in and watches performances.
• A variety of charity events are held and supported by the children and families of the school including: Comic Relief, Macmillan and Children in Need.
• Children are involved in actively raising money through school e.g non-uniform days, sponsored events and a Year 6 fundraiser for their end of school trip
• Children respect and look after our school grounds and keep them clear of rubbish

 

Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs

• We teach children that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law.
• We have high expectations about pupil conduct and this is reflected in our Behaviour Policy and Equality Policy.
• Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs is promoted through the Locally Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education. Children learn about different religions, their beliefs, places of worship, how they pray and festivals. The children’s work on this subject is often displayed in the classrooms or around the school.
• As a school we celebrate diversity.
• Fortnightly assemblies with a focus on ‘learning about religion’ are held.
• This is supplemented by whole school collective worship which, although mainly Christian in nature, also marks and celebrates significant religious festivals such as Ramadan and Diwali.
• Visits are made by local religious leaders such as the local vicar and Valley CiDS.
• Children have the opportunity to visit places of worship.