Elton Primary School

BRITISH VALUES

Promoting British Values at Elton Primary School

Rationale:

The DfE 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.” 

Elton Primary School’s ‘RESPECT’ Values demonstrate how the British Values underpin the life of the school:

Resilience

Excellence

Self-Aware

Positivity

Empathy

Communication

Teamwork

 

Intentions:

• To enable pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence;
• To enable pupils to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of Britain;
• To encourage pupils to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and to society more widely;
• To enable pupils to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in Britain;
• To further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling pupils to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures;
• To encourage respect for other people;
• To encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in Britain.

Advice from the DfE is to promote British Values through Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development (SMSC) although Ofsted will assess it through the curriculum too. Here is a flavour of how the Elton Primary School develops and promotes these fundamental values:

Democracy:
Pupil voice is taken seriously at Elton Primary School, with children being asked their opinions and suggestions about school matters. Regular meetings of the democratically-selected School Council from all year groups ensure that pupils are able to make valuable contributions to the development of the School.

The Rule of Law: 
Throughout Elton Primary School, pupils develop their understanding of what is right and what is wrong. Each year, they are reminded of what they can expect of/from the School and what the School expects of them in order to maximise their learning. Through their daily School life and explicitly in PHSE lessons, they develop their understanding of actions, responsibilities and consequences. Visits from/to authorities such as the Police and Fire Service are parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.

(Linked document  Positive Behaviour Policy)

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:
This is achieved through enhancing pupils’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Learning about a wide range of different religions in RE and PSHE offer these opportunities and also support in discussions around the issue of prejudice. At Elton Primary School, we celebrate different faiths and beliefs and welcome members of our school community (pupils, parents/carers and members of the community) to share experiences of their faiths and beliefs including important celebrations.

Mutual Respect: 
It is an abiding expectation that all members of the School’s community demonstrate a respectful attitude at all times. EYFS children begin to develop their understanding of others through the planned learning opportunities within the ‘prime’ areas of ‘Understanding the World’ and ‘Personal, Social and Emotional Development’. Discussions, assemblies, team games in PE and PSHE lessons across the School help to reinforce this message. Bullying is not tolerated and pupils are taught about the different types of bullying, why they might occur and discuss possible strategies for dealing with incidents should they witness any. (Linked documents: Positive Behaviour Policy  Anti-bullying Policy)

Individual Liberty:

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 the 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 through:

• Online Safety and PSHE lessons
• Participation in our extra-curricular clubs and other extra-curricular opportunities
• Non-uniform days

Assembly Time:
At Elton Primary School we share and discuss School Values and British Values in our assemblies.