British Values
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 government has set out its definition of British values in the ‘Prevent Strategy’ and emphasises that schools are required to ensure these values are taught across the United Kingdom.
At Pytchley CofE Primary School, we recognise the importance of educating our children so that they understand the multi-cultural and multi-faith Britain we live in today. We ensure our pupils are ready to contribute to an ever changing society.
At Pytchley C of E Primary School, we reinforce these values regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy
Democracy is embedded at our school. Through our collective worship programme, pupils are taught to listen carefully and with concern for each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard whether they are members of our own school community or not. Our pupils are taught the value of respecting themselves and others around them not only through collective worship but also during class circle time. Pupils also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas through our school council. The members of the council are invited to apply for the role that has success criteria for choosing the successful candidates. Pupil questionnaires and Snack and Chat interviews are another way of ensuring the pupils have a voice. Our behaviour policy involves both rewards and sanctions; pupils are clear about the expectations. We always seek, wherever possible, to offer opportunities to ensure our pupils can participate in a democratic process.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, is consistently reinforced through our curriculum, behaviour/reward system and during collective worship. Each class discuss the school rules to ensure they are clearly understood by all, this ensures that every pupil is able to learn in a safe environment and adhere to either whole school rules or certain rules bespoke to their class. We expect pupils to behave impeccably when they are on trips outside of school and feedback often suggests that this is the case. Pupils are taught, through our behaviour and reward system, what happens if they break the rules and that the wrong choices have consequences. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service are encouraged and help reinforce that laws of the land are in place to protect us.
Individual Liberty
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an inclusive education. Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely; examples of this can be clearly seen in our teaching of e-safety and collective worship. Whether it is through the curriculum or through participation in our numerous extra-curricular activities, our pupils are given the freedom to make choices. Pupils are also given the opportunity to be engaged in their learning through the use of personal negotiated targets and self-assessment of their work.
Mutual Respect
Respect is evident at our school and can be seen in lessons in every classroom and around the school. Pupils are taught our values through religious education, collective worship and school rules. Additional support is provided for individual pupils, through our caring and nurturing ethos. The support helps to develop self-esteem and to give pupils strategies to help improve their respect of themselves and others. The value of Respect along with those written above underpins our work every day both in and out of the classroom.
Tolerance of those with different Faiths and Beliefs
Our values and respect ensures tolerance of those who have different faiths and beliefs. Cottingham CofE Primary School enhances pupils understanding of different faiths and beliefs through collective worship, a broad approach to religious education; SMSCS. work and curriculum enhancements such as African Dancing and Drumming workshops for example. Through the termly learning, pupils participate in celebrations such as Diwali and Chinese New Year, and enjoy a depth of study covering various History and Geography learning. Pytchley CofE Primary School participates in various sporting events across Northamptonshire and more locally and pupils have the opportunity to take part in extra curricular school activities. Our pupils with special educational needs also participate in inclusive sporting events within our local community. We have whole school daily acts of worship where we share ideas, events, music and stories to promote the values expressed. All parents are actively encouraged to attend our weekly special award worship where many rewards are given to the children. Headteacher Awards are presented to children who have shown extra excellence and not only in school.
British Values Spring 1 Coverage 2023-2024
