British Values | Highweek Primary

British Values Statement

At Highweek Primary School we value the diversity of backgrounds of all pupils, families and the wider school community.

The Department for Education states 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 Department for Education defines British Values as follows:

Respect for democracy and support or participation in the democratic process
Respect for the basis on which the law is made and applies in England
Support for equality of opportunity for all
Support and respect for the liberties of all within the law
Respect for and tolerance of different faiths and religious and other beliefs

Our school reflects British values in all that we do. We aim to nurture our children on their journey through life so they can grow into safe, caring, democratic, responsible and tolerant adults who make a positive difference to British society and to the world. We encourage our children to be creative, unique, open-minded and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and of others in our school, our local community and the wider world.

At Highweek, we actively promote British values in the following ways:

Democracy

UN CRC Article 12: Children have the right to say what they think should happen, when adults are making decisions that affect them, and to have their opinions taken into account.

We use our Pupil Advocates to be our school council and representative members of all the children. We hear their views and consult with them about changes and how we can improve our school.
We encourage volunteerism in and out of school. This includes things like the volunteering to be sports leaders, applying to be pupil advocates, representing the school in the community and also raising money for local and national charities.
The beginnings of democracy are taught through historical research of the Ancient Greece civilisation.
Democracy and the election process is promoted and explained through additional PSHE lessons, topics and assemblies.
Children are taught about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and learn to respect their rights and the rights of others.

The Rule of Law

UN CRC Article 19: Governments should ensure that children are properly cared for, and protect them from violence, abuse and neglect by their parents, or anyone else who looks after them.

We have high expectations about pupil conduct and this is reflected in our Behaviour Policy. There are rewards for exhibiting good and caring behaviour and consistent demonstration of our values is recognised through such things as ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ and rewards and stickers.
Through our school assemblies, circle time and PSHE children are taught how to earn trust and respect and are supported to develop a strong sense of morality; knowing right from wrong and doing the right thing even when it’s difficult.
The local police officer / PCSO visit the school to talk to the children and explain about their role in society.
Children are taught about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and learn to respect their rights and the rights of others.

Individual Liberty

UN CRC Article 15: Children have the right to meet together and to join groups and organisations, as long as this does not stop other people from enjoying their rights.
UN CRC Article 31: All children have a right to relax and play, and to join in a wide range of activities.

Children are taught about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and learn to respect their rights and the rights of others.
Through our school values and the SEAL PSHE program, children are taught about personal responsibility, choices, ambition, resilience, perseverance (GRIT) and aspiration. They are encouraged to take opportunities to follow their interests in art, music, sport etc.
SEAL has specific units relating to individual liberty including ‘Good To Be Me !’
Our Anti bullying ambassadors are trained to support their peers in dealing with any unkindness and advising others what to do if they have a worry.
We take part in the annual National Anti Bullying Week exploring current themes teaching children how to support and protect themselves from unkind words and actions from others.
Children are taught how to keep themselves safe, including on-line. This is done through computing lessons, assemblies and outside organisations such as the NSPCC, Internet Safety Day as well as through the PSHE curriculum.

Mutual Respect

UN CRC Article 2: The Convention applies to everyone whatever their race, religion, abilities, whatever they think or say and whatever type of family they come from.
UN CRC Article 30: Children have a right to learn and use the language and customs of their families, whether these are shared by the majority of people in the country or not.

We have high expectations about pupil conduct and this is reflected in our Behaviour Policy and our Equality Policy.
Children are taught about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and learn to respect their rights and the rights of others.
Through our school’s values, learning attitudes, SEAL scheme, PSHE and circle time children are taught to respect each other, to be cooperative and collaborative, be supportive and to look for similarities while being understanding of differences.
We pride ourselves in modelling mutual respect, kindness and equality through promotion of our Random Act of Kindness raffle ticket scheme.
The SEAL theme of ‘Getting On and Falling Out’ explores these issues well.
Mutual respect is also promoted through additional PSHE lessons and assemblies. A range of specific assemblies were delivered focusing on helping other pupils to understand specific special needs.
Children are taught about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and learn to respect their rights and the rights of others.

Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs

UN CRC Article 14: Children have the right to think and believe what they want, and to practise their religion, as long as they are not stopping other people from enjoying their rights. Parents should guide their children on these matters.

We have high expectations about pupil conduct and this is reflected in our Behaviour Policy and our Equality, Diversity and Cohesion Policy.
Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs is promoted through the Syllabus for Religious Education. Children learn about different religions, their beliefs, places of worship and festivals. The children’s work on this subject or whole school learning in assemblies is often displayed in the classrooms or around the school.
This is supplemented by assemblies (Key Stage and whole school), which also mark and celebrate significant religious festivals such as Ramadan and Diwali.
Visits are made by local religious leaders and children have the opportunity to visit places of worship.
Children are taught about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and learn to respect their rights and the rights of others.

How we teach British Values at Highweek