Promoting British Values
The Department for Education state that there is a 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 and the Prime Minister reiterated these values in 2014.
At Christopher Rawlins CE Primary School, these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways.
Democracy is embedded at the school. Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and respect the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council. Children put themselves forward through a short presentation and the election of the School Council members is based on pupil votes, thereby demonstrating democracy in action. They also have a chance to explore other leadership roles and take responsibility for change. These are: Worship Team, Eco-Warrior, Playleaders, Buddies and Secretaries.
The Rule of the Law
The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, is consistently reinforced. Each class discusses and sets its own rules that are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment. Our Christian values enable children to find examples of why we follow a code of conduct and to recognise and appreciate when others demonstrate positive behaviour. We teach the value and reason behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.
Pupils are actively encouraged to make choices at our school, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.
As a school, we provide boundaries for our children to make choices safely. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedom and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-safety teaching and PSHE lessons. Pupils are given the freedom to make choices in many different ways. Our children have opportunities to direct their own learning by posing questions to co-construct learning. Our enrichment programme offers opportunities for children to work in mixed age teams and take control of planning, organising and holding an event e.g. Year 4 Art Gallery. In daily lessons children are provided with a choice in the level of challenge within some lessons, choices as to how they might record and display their home learning, what method they will use to record their writing.
Our school ethos and behaviour policy are based around Core Christian values such as “respect” and these values determine how we live as a community at Christopher Rawlins CE Primary School. Worship is based on our Christian values and they are central to how we expect everyone to go about their life at our school. Values are highly visible around the school and can be seen in every class. Our pupils live by the values and are keen to identify them in one another. They understand what they mean and can demonstrate these fully. The pupils know and understand what is expected and that it is imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have and to everything, however big or small.
Understanding of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs
Christopher Rawlins CE Primary School enhances pupils understanding of different faiths and beliefs through religious education studies; PSHE work; visits to places of worship, welcoming religious leaders and community members representing different faiths, inviting parents to share their different faiths and talk about their beliefs and festivals (Chinese New Year, Diwali Week in Year 3),
We use opportunities such as the Christianity around the World, Olympics and World Cup to study and learn about life and culture in other countries. As part of our worship, children explore how a particular value is important across a range of faiths.
Linked Policy Documents:
- PSHCE Policy
- RE Policy