Promoting British Values

 

Promoting Fundamental British Values at Christopher Pickering Primary School

“We want every school to promote the basic British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs.” Lord Nash 

In accordance with The Department for Education, we aim to actively promote British values in our school 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 British Values are:

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

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?

UN CRC Article 12: Children have the right to say what they think should happen, when adults are making decisions that affect them, and to have their opinions taken into account.

Democratic values underpin the ethos of the school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through Christopher Pickering Primary School’s School Council,  pupil questionnaires and via the listening culture where all adults listen to children and value their views. Our school Behaviour Policy includes rewards such as Dojos and team points, where all children and staff contribute to a whole school reward system.

  • Class voting for the election of school councillors at the start of the year;
  • Annual school wide campaign and election of Y5 House Captains at the end of the year so they are ready for a full year in Y6
  • 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;
  • Model how perceived injustice can be peacefully challenged;
  • Pupils vote as to which after schools we should provide;
  • KS2 workshops provided by the Houses of Parliament Education Team (including a question and answer session with our MP);
  • School council annually visit the Houses of Parliament through Children’s University

Rule of law – what do we do?

UN CRC Article 19: Governments should ensure that children are properly cared for, and protect them from violence, abuse and neglect by their parents, or anyone else who looks after them.

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout the school day 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. The rules of our school are underpinned by the spirit of our school ethos: ‘Be the best you can be.’

  • Ensure school rules and expectations are clear and fair;
  • Class rules and celebration of adhering to these rules;
  • Help pupils to distinguish right from wrong;
  • 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 Personal Development Lessons laws and what to do if peer pressure is trying to persuade children to break these;
  • Promote the Rights Respecting School Articles (on policies, around school, in assemblies etc);

Individual liberty – what do we do?

UN CRC Article 31: All children have a right to relax and play, and to join in a wide range of activities.
UN CRC 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.

At Christopher Pickering Primary School pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. Positive choices are rewarded with Dojos and through Gold book certificates etc.

As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices, through both provisions of a safe environment and by providing an empowering education. Our outside areas offer, for example, many opportunities for the children to develop the ability to make safe choices within their environment. These opportunities also exist in our range of after school clubs and at lunch and break time.

  • Support pupils to develop their self-knowledge, 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;
  • E-Safety units of work are taught throughout school and parents and staff receive training on these.

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

UN CRC Article 2: The Convention applies to everyone whatever their race, religion, abilities, whatever they think or say and whatever type of family they come from.
UN CRC 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.
UN CRC Article 30: Children have a right to learn and use the language and customs of their families, whether these are shared by the majority of people in the country or not
  • Explore positive role models (where possible) through our topics who reflect the protected characteristics of the 2010 Equality Act;
  • Challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour;
  • Organise visits to places of worship);
  • Years groups celebrate a variety of religious festivals such as Diwali, Eid and Christmas;
  • Our RE scheme ensures that our children have a good understanding of a range of religious beliefs, worldviews and customs;
  • Help pupils to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life;

Teaching and Learning takes place in the following ways:

  • By teachers explaining the meaning of the value.
  • By pupils reflecting on the value and what it means to them and their own behaviour.
  • Through the recognition of children displaying the value through their work and behaviour.
  • By pupils using the value to guide their own actions.
  • By staff modelling the value through their own behaviour.
  • By ensuring that values are taught implicitly through every aspect of the curriculum.
  • Through the work of the School Council.
  • By involving all staff, governors and parents in the values programme, through newsletters which explain how school and home can work together to promote positive values

British Values policy

This video was created by Year 6 pupils at Christopher Pickering Primary School. 

Wednesday 18th January 2023

Tonight, staff at Christopher Pickering Primary School are discussing how we promote the fundamental British Values in our school.