Promoting British Values

Introduction

All maintained schools and academies must meet the requirements set out in section 78 of the Education Act 2002 and promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development of their pupils. Through ensuring pupils’ SMSC development, schools can also demonstrate they are actively promoting fundamental British values. (DFE November 2014).

The fundamental British values are defined by the DFE as: democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs .

At Burtonwood CP School we regularly promote and reinforce these values throughout the curriculum, during RSE & PSHE, RE and through assemblies and collective worship. At the school we will not only focus on your child's academic progress but also their social, moral and cultural education. We want them to develop the vital personal qualities of kindness, tolerance and honesty as well as a moral code of what is right and wrong. This will help them develop into responsible citizens in the future.

Democracy

How we promote it:

  • We have an elected school council. The children learn about the electoral process, voting and this gives us the opportunity to teach about democracy. Our school council meets regularly throughout the year and represents the children within each class, allowing all to have a voice. The school council have recently been involved in organising whole school events such as the Race for Life and fundraising events throughout the year.
  • During general election campaigns, the children extended and enriched their learning about democracy and Parliament.
  • RSE & PSHE: is taught in every year group and includes aspects of democracy.
  • The children make informed choices about school fundraising events that they would like to host such as organising cake sales and bracelet making that support those who are less fortunate. In priors years the children raised money for international causes –  Christmas Child Shoe Box Appeal, Soccer Aid, Red Nose Day and UNICEF Day for Change as well as national causes – Children in Need, Sports Relief and charities linked to children and staff – Hope Tea, Diabetes Typeonsie Day, Race for Life, St Roccos The school choir have performed at St Roccos and Old Vicarage. Annually the school also puts on a Christmas Carol Concert for the Senior Citizens in the village.
  • Through their curriculum children in Year 6 learn about how democracy developed in Ancient Greece and contrast democracy in the UK.

Rule of Law

How we promote it:

  • Our school’s behaviour and discipline policy promotes fairness, equality, inclusion and responsibility.
  • The children are taught from an early age the rules of the school. Our children create and adhere to our school and class rules.
  • Children are taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken through assemblies and the RSHE curriculum. The children learn about trust and respect and develop a strong sense of morality; knowing right from wrong.
  • Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce thismessage.

Individual Liberty

How we promote it:

  • Children 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 informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education.
  • Children are taught to keep themselves safe, including online and e-safety. This is done through computing lessons, assemblies and RSE & PSHE as well as through the use of outside agencies such as the NSPCC.
  • Each year we hold an anti-bullying week following themes such as cyberbullying, e safety and stand up to bullying.
  • Residential visits from years 3-6 help children to become independent and builds further their confidence and self- esteem.
  • Through the curriculum children learn about significant events in the past such as World War One and Two. We promote Remembrance events annually. In the past, all the children made a ceramic poppy and the school created its’s own memorial in the grounds, they have also created a memorial display at the local library creating poppies from plastic bottles. 

Mutual respect

How we promote it:

  • Children have a deepened understanding through their learning about individuals and communities that are less fortunate than themselves. They engage in learning about global issues such as poverty, children’s rights, and explore how they can help those affected by global disasters such as earthquakes. Every year the children participate in International Day of Peace and UNICEF Day for Change.
  • Through our school’s values, RSE & PSHE curriculum and inclusive ethos children are taught to respect each other, to be co- operative and be collaborative. A specific range of assemblies follow themes that encourage respect and tolerance.
  • Celebration assemblies give children the opportunity to celebrate each other’s successes.
  • Children use peer assessment and feedback to respond to each other’s work and achievements.

Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

How we promote it:

  • The school has developed links with local churches. A local church group have promoted Christian values through regular assemblies, dramatizing stories from the Bible. The school holds church services in Burtonwood and attend a special Christmas event at All Saints church in Newton.
  • We actively promote diversity through our studies of different faiths and cultures. Religious Education lessons and RSE & PSHE lessons reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others. All major faiths are studied as part of the RE curriculum.
  • Our school studies the global dimension and the global curriculum and celebrates National and International events such as International Day of Peace, UNICEF Day for a Change and World Water Week.