British Values
Promoting British Values at Samlesbury CE Primary School
Background
The DfE have 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 sets out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.
Samlesbury is a Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School whose Anglican foundation is governed by its Trust Deed and the above British Values which reflect our Christian values are reinforced in collective worship, assemblies and through the Curriculum.
Democracy:
Democracy is demonstrated extensively within our School. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our Pupil Council, Pupil Voice, one to one support from teachers and pupil questionnaires. The elections of class representatives for the Pupil Council and House Captains, are based solely on both pupil and staff votes. Our pupils also have sports leaders who help to support members of staff during PE and playtimes as well as other leadership roles in school such as worship leaders, library monitors and Y6 pupil buddies with our new reception children.
The Rule of Law:
The importance of Laws, whether they be those that affect the class, school, or our country, are reinforced in school collective worships, PSHE, RE and other aspects of the curriculum such as our visit to Lancashire County Council chambers or the magistrate visit into school. Every other year our Y5 and Y6 pupils visit London which includes a tour of the House of Parliament, a session with our MP and a workshop in parliament which covers the history of the UK's rule of law history. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws: and how they govern and protect us; the responsibilities that these impose and the consequences when laws are broken. We also have other visits and visitors as they support our curriculum which help reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty:
As a school we educate and provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices through the provision of a safe environment. In our most recent Ofsted Report Inspectors stated, ’Pupils develop as active and caring individuals, fulfilling the school’s aim to ‘live as a light to others. Pupils take pride in the wide range of leadership opportunities that they undertake.’
Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to do so these safely, through our cross curricular teaching of online safety, Computing and PSHE.
Mutual Respect:
School promotes respect for others and this is modelled by all staff within school and reinforced through class rules and our School's Christian values. Our school ethos is based on our 18 Core Values – trust, truthfulness, perseverance, compassion, responsibility, forgiveness, respect, justice, humility, wisdom, peace, hope, creativity, thankfulness, friendship, generosity and courage. We have a focus value each half term which underpins daily acts of collective worship.
Respect for Different Faiths and Beliefs:
This is promoted through enhancing pupils’ understanding of their place in a multi-cultural society and by providing opportunities to experience diversity. Children learn about World faiths in RE and members of different faiths are encouraged to share their beliefs and practices to enhance pupils’ understanding. Pupils visit a range of ‘places of worship’ as part of RE lessons throughout their time within school.
How are Christian Values and British Values shown through our our school's Christian Vision and our theological foundation?
