British Values
Promoting British Values in School
The DfE have recently reinforced the 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 set out its definition of British Values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and those values have been reiterated in 2014 . At All Saints’ these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
The school has a very strong Christian ethos which means that we care about everybody.
Our Core Values based on the teaching of Jesus which are instilled across school are:
Truth
Family
Caring
Perseverance
Friendship
Community
Fairness
*The term British Values might be slightly misleading in that these values are integral to so many countries throughout the world – they differ in no way from the values of the majority of cultures.
Being Part of Britain
As a school we value and celebrate the diverse heritages of all the cultures within our school and what it means to be part of British Society. With a number of different nationalities represented in All Saints’ we fully embrace and celebrate diversity and the many qualities this brings to our school. As several of our families join our school as non-speakers of English, we offer fully integrated EAL support to the children as well as access to ESOL lessons for parents, fully supporting the learning of English
Our curriculum reflects, celebrates and teaches children about diversity. Children learn about a wide range of traditions, such as Harvest, Remembrance Sunday, Christmas, Easter, Diwali, Eid and Hanukah. Also classes visit different places of worship, such as mosques and synagogues.
We have various fundraising activities throughout the year, including Children in Need, Comic Relief Save the Children and NSPCC.
We develop an awareness of diversity and fairness through our celebration of Fairtrade Fortnight each year.
As a school, we always learn about/celebrate key British Events, such, The Diamond Jubilee in 2013, the Royal Wedding in 2011, Olympics 2012 and the Queen’s Birthday 2016. For such occasions, we hold special events and do additional curriculum class work about how such events relate to being British. Each year, we celebrate Black History Month.
In History, children learn about key figures such as Florence Nightingale, Edward Jenner, Mary Seacole, Kings and Queens, as well as covering many major British historical eras, such as the , Iron Age ,Saxons, Tudors, Victorians and World War 2. We also cover local history and key national events.
Our Geography Curriculum makes many references to the United Kingdom, covering countries that make up the UK, as well as major cities and comparisons between the UK and other countries, plus weather, rivers and mountains.
Each Year 6 child participates in a ‘Take Over Day’, in which children take the roles of staff across school. This process includes: completing application forms; conducting interviews; several training sessions; and a large amount of preparation, which gives the children a great sense of responsibility and achievement: a taster of the ‘World of Work’.
Democracy
Children, parents and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard at All Saints’ . An obvious example is our school council, where democratically elected children represent their peers in helping to make school decisions. The Council annually raises money and money is provided by school to fund Council projects. They have real impact and responsibility for the school and its future.
In election years, children will learn about the election process and the impact on the country.
‘My Voice’ is an inclusion for each year group in each half term, which includes drama, debate, ‘Big Questions’, Circle Time.
We have annual questionnaires for both pupils and parents, which provide us with a real insight into their thoughts on the school.
Ambassadors and Prefects are nominated each year, are given responsibilities across school, including during break times.
Rules and Laws
Children are taught the importance of rules and laws and how the ones in school reflect those in our country. As a school, we have a set of Golden Rules:
Do be gentle, don’t hurt others.
Do be kind and helpful, don’t hurt anybody’s feelings.
Do work hard, don’t waste time.
Do listen, don’t interrupt.
Do look after property, don’t waste or damage things.
Do be honest, don’t cover up the truth.
Children of all ages understand the rules and the reasons behind them and that they are there to keep us safe and happy. Classes can be involved in democratically devising their own behaviour systems, including rewards.
Visits from authority figures in society, such as the Fire Brigade, Community Police Officers, Nurses, Governors and Faith Leaders reinforce the importance of authority.
Children are rewarded within school for a wide range of reasons, which demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the rules, i.e. attendance, punctuality, acts of kindness, achievement and good behaviour. These include the ‘Big Stars award’ ,’ Golden Table award’, certificates, ‘Golden Time Cheques’.
Individual Liberty
Alongside rules and laws we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express our views and beliefs as an integral part of what it is to be British. Children may choose to take part in our wide range of extra-curricular activities. They have a choice of lunchtime play areas and activities. They are involved in their own learning and respond to their learning by feedback systems and self-review of marking.
They are taught how to use their choices and freedoms safely though our curriculum in areas such as e-safety, anti-bullying, sex and relationship education and drugs awareness education.
As a multi-cultural school, we always endeavour to embrace our families’ different cultures and beliefs, in order for them to express their individual liberty within their school life.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance
All Saints’ is the epitome of cultural diversity, which has allowed our children to grow and develop within a safe, secure and happy environment, where mutual respect and tolerance come as second nature. Our children are taught and know how to show respect to everyone no matter what their differences may be. One of our key values is caring and this means that we care for all people no matter what race or ethnicity.
Diversity is celebrated at All Saints. A Diversity display is created at the beginning of each year in each class.