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The Department for Education has published guidance on promoting British values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. The British Values are: Democracy, the Rule of Law, Individual Liberty and Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs.
Democracy
From an early age our pupils are taught to value democracy as a way of life, in order to prepare them for their life ahead as they grow into positive citizens. Our pupils are actively encouraged to make decisions and have regular opportunities to have their voices heard through a variety of pupil led groups: Eco-Councillors, Sports Councillors, Cultural Embassadors. All adults listen to children and value their views.
At the beginning of each school year, the children democratically agree class rules and ideas. Opinions are then sought by teachers, deciding on children’s interests and themes to be included in the creative curriculum. They are also given regular opportunities to participate in mock elections and mock referendums, which teach them about current affairs, as well as the democratic system.
The Rule of Law
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 responsibility which this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.
The children at Usworth Colliery Primary School follow ‘The Colliery Code’ as well as devising their own class rules which link in with the School Behaviour Policy and our positive reward system. All classrooms display ‘The Colliery Code’ and we praise and reward children in a variety of ways for following the school rules.
Individual Liberty
At Usworth Colliery Primary School, pupils are encouraged to make positive choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. Positive choices are rewarded through House Points, Twitter Stars and our individual Class Reward system.
As a school, we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make positive choices. Our outside areas in EYFS and in our Base unit, as well as Forest School for example, offer 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 times.
Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through our ICT E-Safety lessons and PSHCE lessons.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
Our whole school ethos and Behaviour Policy incorporate the value of respect. Tolerance is promoted through enhancing pupils’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Our school rules and aims promote respect and tolerance for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and attitude to learning rules. Pupils are also given opportunities to visit places of worship. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and why their faith is important to them. Whole school assemblies, class assemblies and discussions regarding current affairs, reflect on themes of prejudice and diversity, in order to promote an inclusive culture.
At Usworth Colliery Primary School we actively engage in promoting an inclusive culture and provide pupils with opportunities to experience some of these differences. Our PSHCE curriculum offers regular enrichment weeks to enhance pupils’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society, for example International Week and Anti-bullying Week, as well as opportunities given through our links with international schools. We participate in many charitable events such as Harvest Festival, Food Banks, Children in Need and Comic Relief.
As part of our PHCSE curriculum, tolerance and respect of different types of families are promoted through a scheme of work on homophobic, transphobic and biphobic bullying. A range of books and materials which reflect the diverse families in our community, provide an excellent starting point from which we talk with pupils about how every type of family is special and unique. Our school libraries contain a range of books that reflect the diverse voices present in our society, as well as tales from other cultures.