Promoting British Values
The Department for Education state 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 set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy and the Prime Minister reiterated these values in 2014.
At Dorchester, St Birinus C of E Primary School we take our responsibility to prepare children for life in modern Britain very seriously. We ensure that the fundamental British Values are promoted through our school vision and values, our curriculum provides a vehicle for furthering understanding of these concepts and, in particular, our values based collective worship, RE, PSHE and Citizenship lessons provide excellent opportunities to deepen and develop understanding. Each British Value is linked to a key Christian text:
| British Value |
Key Christian Text: |
| Democracy: |
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self control. 2 Timothy 1:7 |
| Role of Law: |
Whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 |
| Individual Liberty: |
Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10 |
| Mutual Respect: |
Treat others just as you want to be treated. Luke 6:31 |
| Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs: |
Treat others just as you want to be treated. Luke 6:31 |
| British Value |
Statement |
How do we promote it? |
| DEMOCRACY
Link to school / worship values:
RESPECT
TRUST
HONESTY
BELONGING |
The children at Dorchester, St Birinus C of E Primary see democracy borne out in a variety of ways and recognise this as being an essential component of successful team working.
Democracy is embedded at our school. Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and respect the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. |
- We have monthly pupil parliament meetings where all children, led by the Headteacher discuss many aspects of school life. Children’s opinions are listened to and pupils are empowered to advocate change.
- Adults listen to the views of the pupils and value their opinions.
- Children are involved in key decisions about aspects of school life such as organising charity fund-raising (CIN, Comic Relief), after-school clubs, rewards etc.
- Democracy is promoted through the curriculum – e.g. in debates, PSHE and some topic work.
- Children are regularly asked their views through discussions with the Headteacher and for this year through a questionnaire. The results are fed back, shared with staff and governors and then decisions may be made based on it.
- Children are able to work cooperatively in pairs, groups across year groups as well as in whole class/school situations. They understand about turn taking and respecting the views of others.
- Children are beginning to use the language of our values more regularly.
- The beginnings of democracy are taught through historical research relating to the civilisation of Ancient Greece
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| THE RULE OF LAW
Links to school / worship values:
RESPECT
JUSTICE
HONESTY |
The children at Dorchester, St Birinus Primary are familiar with this concept through the philosophy that infuses the entire work of the school.
The importance of rules, or laws, is constantly reinforced during lessons, break times, lunchtimes and Worship. Rules include School rules and rules that govern the country. |
- The whole school and then each class discusses and reviews the school rules and their rights annually, ensuring they are clearly understood by all and are necessary to make certain that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment.
- Our high standards of behaviour across the school are promoted by positive praise and consistency by all staff.
- Children are familiar with the concept through the discussion of values and, in RE lessons, the idea that different religions have guiding principles.
- Children are taught the reasons behind rules, the importance of observing rules and the consequences when rules are not adhered to.
- Our Christian values enable children to find examples of why we follow a code of conduct and to recognise and appreciate when others demonstrate positive behaviour.
- Children are able to articulate how and why we need to behave in school and demonstrate they understand and can abide by these.
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| INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY
Links with school / worship values:
RESPECT
HOPE
COURAGE
COMPASSION
TRUST
|
The children at Dorchester, St Birinus Primary are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.
Our teaching and learning philosophy places emphasis on the right to have our own thoughts and evidence based views.
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- Through our school values and aims, as well as through teaching across the curriculum (particularly in PSHE) children are taught about personal responsibility, the courage to stand up for what is right, resilience and aspiration.
- Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedom and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-safety teaching and PSHE lessons.
- Our children have opportunities to direct their own learning by posing questions to co-construct learning.
- In daily lessons, children are encouraged to develop independence in learning, to think for themselves and are provided with a choice in the level of challenge through differentiated success criteria.
- Children support charities through raising money (CIN, Comic Relief, Footsteps), sharing products (Wallingford Foodbank) and giving to those in need (Operation Christmas Child).
- Children actively raise funds for school projects through their efforts through activities such as stalls at the Easter Fair and our Sponsored Walk
- Children are encouraged to discuss and debate, expressing their opinions and respecting the rights of others to differing points of view.
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| MUTUAL RESPECT
Links with school / worship values:
RESPECT
TRUTHFULNESS
TRUST
COMPASSION
FRIENDSHIP |
Respect is a fundamental school value at Dorchester, St Birinus Primary School, around which pivots much of the work of the school.
Respect is discussed deeply, starting with self-respect and covering respect for family, friends, and other groups, the world and its people, and the environment. |
- Our school ethos and behaviour policy are based around core Christian values such as “respect” and these values determine how we live as a community at Dorchester, St Birinus.
- We provide as many opportunities as possible for the children to work together across classes, key stages and across the school. PSHE activities and our values actively explore mutual respect through getting on with others.
- We have high expectations of behaviour and a consistent approach by staff ensures mutual respect.
- Children are encouraged to celebrate diversity and to see everybody in the school as unique.
- Staff and governors are good role models treating each other as equals.
- Our Pupil Parliament approach means that every child can be listened to.
- Worship is based on our Christian values and they are central to how we expect everyone to go about their life at our school.
- Children live by the values and are keen to identify them in one another. They understand what they mean and can demonstrate these fully.
- The children know and understand what is expected and that it is imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have and to everything, however big or small.
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| TOLERANCE OF DIFFERENT FAITHS AND BELIEFS
Links with school values:
RESPECT
FRIENDSHIP
PEACE
COMPASSION
FORGIVENESS
TRUST
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This is achieved at Dorchester, St Birinus C of E Primary School through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. |
- Our school enhances pupils understanding of different faiths and beliefs through RE studies; PSHE work; visits to places of worship, and discussing key festivals (Chinese New Year, Diwali, Passover).
- Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs is promoted through the Locally Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education with children learning about different religions, their own beliefs, places of worship and festivals.
- We use opportunities such as the Olympics and World Cup to study and learn about life and culture in other countries.
- As part of our worship, children explore how a particular value is important in a range of faiths and act out traditional faith stories that demonstrate this.
- We actively support charities, both in Britain and overseas, developing the children’s appreciation and respect for the differences and inequalities in the world and of all the things that we share as human beings, for example the need for food, shelter, security and love.
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