Our promotion of British values in school

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The government set out their definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy. These were reinforced in Sept 2014 due to recent events. These new regulations will sit alongside the requirements of the Equalities Act, which also applies to all types of school.

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Schools will be expected to focus on, and be able to show, how our work with pupils is effective in embedding fundamental British values.

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Promoting British values at Burnopfield Primary School

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The Department for Education’s five-part definition of British values is:

• democracy
• the rule of law
• individual liberty
• mutual respect
• tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

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At Burnopfield children will encounter these principles throughout everyday school life. The vast array of evidence of how the school promotes SMSC is evidenced in the SMSC Blog on the website. Ofsted 2015 stated ‘pupils are polite, helpful and considerate, a consequence of their outstanding spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.’

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Ofsted also said ‘the pupils are effectively prepared for the next stage of their learning and life in modern Britain’

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The curriculum is mapped in detail across the whole school. Staff also promote British Values through weekly Information Station sessions where current news items are explored in depth. Listed below are some examples of how we promote British values in our school community:

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Democracy

Pupil voice is significant in regards to life at Burnopfield Primary. Our pupil elected school council plays a strong role in our school. They are elected by their class peers and are involved in making our school a better place to learn.

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Pupil questionnaires and interviews are also conducted throughout the year. We know that the formation of the school council and the active participation of our pupils will sow the seeds for a more sophisticated understanding of democracy in the future.

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The Rule of Law

Our pupils will encounter rules and laws throughout their entire lives.

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We want our pupils to understand that whether these laws govern the class, the school, the neighbourhood or the country, they are set for good reasons and must be adhered to. Ofsted stated the school had ‘ crystal clear boundaries for conduct…which contributes to pupils’ excellent behaviour’

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This understanding of the importance of rules will be consistently reinforced through assemblies and our curriculum. We allow many opportunities to debate and discuss the reasons for laws so that children can recognise the importance of these for their own protection. Throughout the year we welcome visits from members of the wider community including police, the fire brigade and many more.

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We believe that clear explanations and real life stories emphasise the importance of the rule of law for our pupils.

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Individual Liberty

We invest a great deal of time in creating a positive culture in our school, so that children are in a safe environment where choices and freedoms are encouraged. We encourage children to choose tasks that will challenge them, giving them more freedom to determine their own learning. We offer a range of clubs which pupils have the freedom to choose from, based on their interests. At Burnopfield Primary we believe that valuing choice and freedom in daily school life will foster a value for individual liberty as the children embark upon their adult lives.

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Mutual respect

Mutual respect is at the core of our school life. Students learn to treat each other and staff with great respect. This is evident when walking around school and in the classrooms. Ofsted commented ‘ ‘The happy atmosphere at social times and in corridors and classrooms reflect the tolerance and respect pupils show towards each other and to staff’

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Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

At Burnopfield Primary we offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which all major religions are studied and respected. We strongly believe that tolerance is gained through knowledge and understanding. Through our curriculum and the routines of our daily school life, we strive to demonstrate tolerance and help children to become knowledgeable and understanding citizens who can build a better Britain for the future. Ofsted commented ‘Discrimination is not tolerated at the school’