Nettlesworth Primary School

Nettlesworth Primary School

Nettlesworth Primary School

British Values

What are British Values?

The Department for Education state that schools should “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.”

All of these values encompass elements of a child’s Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development (SMSC).  SMSC Development takes place through all areas of the curriculum, including PSHE, R.E., History, Geography, Computing, Music, Art and D.T., P.E., RSE, Science, Maths, English and French.

At Nettlesworth Primary School we are committed to fundamental British Values and teach them in the following ways:

Schools have been asked to explain how they promote British values. So what are ‘British’ values? There are certain values that have been attributed to being British, by the government and some institutions, and these fall into the following broad areas:

  • Democracy
  • The Rule of Law
  • Individual Liberty
  • Mutual Respect
  • Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

Once again the work we do on our Rights Respecting School curriculum forms a very solid basis from which we can promote this area of the curriculum.

  • We seek to promote British values in our policies and practice here at Nettlesworth. Our activities and the way we manage learning and behaviour, clearly reflect British values. We promote these values in the following ways:

How do we specifically promote ‘British Values’ at Nettlesworth Primary?

  • Provide pupils with a broad general knowledge of, and promote respect for, public institutions and services – by discussing these whenever appropriate in curriculum work.
  • Teach pupils how they can influence decision-making through the democratic process – e.g. in our Rights Respecting Council work.
  • Include in the curriculum information on the advantages and disadvantages of democracy and how it works in Britain – e.g. when considering periods of history where democracy was not as fully developed as it is now.
  • Encourage pupils to become involved in decision-making processes and ensure they are listened to in school – UNCRC Article 12
  • Organise visits to democratic establishments e.g.  local council events such as Have Your Say.
  • Hold ‘mock elections’ so pupils learn how to argue and defend points of view e.g. when electing representatives to the Rights Respecting Council for each class and when appointing ‘Buddies’ to work in school.
  • Help pupils to express their views e.g. through English lessons and opportunities to present work and opinions.
  • Model how perceived injustice can be peacefully challenged e.g. through our interactions with pupils and the school’s behaviour system and discussing scenarios in assemblies and class PHSE/RSE/UNCRC work.

 

Democracy

Democracy is embedded at the school. Children are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard.  This is also supported by our PSHE curriculum which covers fairness, compromise and resolving conflict. Children also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas through our School Rights Respecting Council, Pupil Improvement Plan, Daily Circle Time and regular questionnaires. The concept of democracy is reinforced through KS2 History lessons (the Greeks) and assemblies which have addressed how general elections and parliamentary democracy works in the United Kingdom.

 

The Rule of Law

  • Ensure school expectations are clear and fair e.g. by discussing these with pupils and establishing classroom and whole school charters with the pupils themselves.
  • Help pupils to distinguish right from wrong e.g. during everyday interactions and discussions of stories, fables and other literary materials.
  • Help pupils to respect the law and the basis on which it is made e.g. by showing how rules help everyone to interact in an orderly and fair manner and protect the vulnerable in society.
  • Help pupils to understand that living under the rule of law protects individuals
  • Include visits from the police in the curriculum e.g. have sessions with the Community Police Officers and visits from the Fire Service.
  • Teach pupils aspects of both civil and criminal law and discuss how this might differ from some religious laws.
  • Develop approaches focused on fairness and justice to resolve conflicts e.g. as part of sanctions in our approach to behaviour.

Individual Liberty

  • Support pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence e.g. through all areas of teaching and learning in school.
  • Encourage pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour, as well as knowing their rights.
  • Challenge stereotypes e.g. through SMSC/PHSE/RSE/UNCRC work and assemblies.
  • Implement a strong anti-bullying culture – as enshrined in our policies for Anti-Bullying and Behaviour.

Mutual Respect 

Our children know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have. We have a multi-cultural school community and we are committed to developing respect for all cultures. We believe that this respect is fostered through PSHE lessons (focussing on families, caring and respectful relationships in real life and online) and in RE. As well as developing intercultural understanding through the vehicle of Primary Languages, our Peer Mentor programme in Year 4 encourages mutual respect of our diversity.

Tolerance of those with Different Faiths and Beliefs

Our core values ensure tolerance of those who have different faiths and beliefs. At Nettlesworth Primary School we have children from a variety of religious backgrounds, including those with no religion. We enhance children’s understanding of different faiths and beliefs through Religious Education, PSHE work and learn about other places of worship to deepen understanding of different celebrations and beliefs. These are studied in depth, with visitors being invited into our school to enrich and extend understanding.  The History curriculum in Year 5 and 6 covers the important issue of the Holocaust and the effect of a system which lacked such tolerance.  KS1 and KS2 assemblies show examples of people showing tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

All of these values encompass elements of a child’s Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) Development .  SMSC Development takes place through all areas of the curriculum, including PSHE, R.E., History, Geography, Computing, Music, Art and D.T., P.E., Science, Maths, English and French.

You can find out more about Pupil Voice by clicking the following links below:

rights respecting or school council visit the Unicef website.