Promoting British Values
The Department of Education has 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.”
Embedded in our curriculum, and in all aspects of our school life, is the promotion of British Values, the values of democracy, the rule of law, individual rights and responsibilities, and respect and tolerance of others' cultures and beliefs.
At Valley Invicta Primary School at East Borough we want our pupils to be prepared for the next stage of their education, fully prepared for life in modern Britain and to make a successful contribution to society.
At East Borough Primary School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy
Democracy is widespread across our school. Pupils are active participants in the life of the school through a variety of leadership roles such as: house captains, ECO Champions, Anti-Bullying Ambassadors, lunch buddies and the school council.
Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council who meet regularly. Every child on the School Council is voted in by their class and has the opportunity to put forward their views and opinions at the meetings. This is all done in a democratic process using polling station equipment provided by Maidstone Borough Council.
Pupil voice, within the curriculum planning sequence, provides the opportunity for children to share their views and contribute to class. The school also uses pupil questionnaires to canvas opinion and evaluate its provision.
The schools values and code of conduct are promoted daily and regularly the focus of our assemblies.
Individual Liberty
Pupils are actively encouraged to make the right choices, following our school values. At East Borough Primary School we educate and provide boundaries to support children to make wise choices, through a provision of a safe environment and empowering education.
Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our Online-Safety and Personal Development lessons.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws are consistently reinforced at East Borough Primary School. The Behaviour Policy underpinned by the schools values, is consistently applied by all staff and referred to within assemblies and the general day to day practice.
Discussions take place to ensure that all pupils understand the value of and reasons behind laws. They understand that laws govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Local Magistrates, Police and Fire Service help to reinforce this message.
Mutual Respect
Through discussions both in class and assemblies children develop social, moral, spiritual and cultural values, showing respect and an understanding of the lifestyles of others and the diversity of the world. Through these discussions they develop the understanding of what this means and more importantly how they can show it. Displays around the school promote our school values and this is reiterated through our classroom charters, as well as our school policies.
The schools values are not only expected in school but also to be demonstrated when the children are off site. An example of this is when our children participate in sporting events or team games against local schools which are regularly attended. All children are taught to show good sportsmanship whether they win, lose or draw.
Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs
At East Borough we understand the importance of actively promoting diversity through our teaching and celebration of different faiths and cultures. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been held and are supported by learning throughout the curriculum and especially in assemblies and enrichment events. For exmaple, as a school we always celebrate Black History Month and this year we also got involved with 'show racism the red card'.
Additional to the key areas above we also promote British Values by
- Providing children with opportunities for enterprise e.g. Year 6 ice lolly sales
- Fundraising for and supporting charities which are important to us e.g. Children in Need, Poppy Appeal, Winter shelter
- Learning about the countries which make up Great Britain and the United Kingdom, through its geography, governance, flags, symbolism and culture
- Accepting responsibility for our planet through sustainable global education, championed by our ECO Champions
- Learn about Britain within its role in Europe and the wider world and social responsibility
- Valuing the cultural aspects of ‘Britishness’ through our appreciation of the sports and the arts
- Engage with stories of national and local concern in the media through regular Newsround time
- Host school events linking to national events, e.g. VE Day, Remembrance,
- Acknowledging that these British Values are not unique to Britain and can be found as integral values throughout the world, throughout a range of religions and a variety of cultures