British Values

British Values

 

Maintained schools have obligations under section 78 of the Education Act (2002) which requires schools, as part of a broad and balanced curriculum, to promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school and of society. Through ensuring pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development, schools can also demonstrate they are actively promoting British Values. It is a requirement that schools should 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. By doing this, schools should be in a position to demonstrate how they are meeting the requirements of Section 78 of the Education Act 2002, in their provision of SMSC development (DFE, November 2014).

At Ditchling St Margaret’s Primary and Nursery School, we aim to give our pupils a well-rounded education, which will prepare them for life-long learning beyond their time at our school. We believe that through our Core Values, our Religious Education and Personal Social, Health Education (PHSE/Life Skills) programmes that we give our pupils an understanding of British Values and their importance in today’s society. We teach British values in the following ways.

Democracy:

  • We have three simple rules that all the children know and understand. Be Prepared, Be Respectful and Strive for Excellence
  • Pupils elect their own class School Council, House Captains and Vice House Captains through democratic voting
  • Life Skills lesson allow for opportunities to discuss issues raised
  • We encourage our parents and carers to participate in decision making within our school through parent surveys and feedback questionnaires and workshops etc.
  • Our staff are excellent role models who develop strong, respectful relationships with one another, the children and parents. We encourage an open door policy to discuss any concerns and work together to resolve them.

The Rule of Law

  • Our three simple school rules mean expectations are clear, fair and consistent across the school. Every aspect of school life links to these three rules and our 3 core values.
  • Children understand the importance of all forms of rules e.g. school rules, rules of games/sports, playground rules and E-Safety rules.
  • We help pupils to distinguish right from wrong through our Christian ethos and teaching of the values in the curriculum

Individual Liberty

  • We place a great deal of importance on encouraging our pupils to know, understand and respond to their rights and freedom. We ensure that they know how to protect their personal rights and freedom through Online Safety and Life Skills sessions
  • We do not tolerate bullying of any kind and this is dealt with swiftly.
  • Our pupils are encouraged to make safe choices in their school life and life beyond school supported by Safer Internet Day, whole school worships, Feet First road safety, Bikeability, swimming tuition, Safety in Action etc.
  • We encourage pupils to think for themselves and to have opportunities within their work to make personal choices
  • We provide where possible equal access to activities so that personal choices can be made.

Mutual Respect

  • This is instilled through everything that we do, but is clearly encompassed within our core teaching programme through values such as respect, kindness and perseverance.
  • Be respectful is one of our school rules and our value. All our children are encouraged to demonstrate respect for everyone they meet and to respect the environment in which we live.
  • As part of our value of understanding, children learn about disability through workshops and lessons for example Paralympic day, Children in the Community.
  • The excellent behaviour of our pupils is reflected within school but also beyond for example school visits where we are regularly praised by members of the community
  • We try wherever possible to make links with the local community so that our pupils can show respect towards others e.g. fundraising for our Food Bank and taking part in Children in the Community.
  • The School participate in ‘An Act of Remembrance’ with the local community every year.

Tolerance and understanding of different faiths and beliefs

  • Pupils are encouraged through the Religious education programme and faith weeks to understand the similarities and differences between Christianity and other faiths. This is achieved through direct teaching but by also meeting members of our local community (and beyond), and by visiting different places of worship.
  • The notion of equality and prejudice is discussed through our Life Skills teaching but also explicitly through such weeks as Against Bullying and Internet Awareness Week (Online Bullying is covered).
  • We celebrate and recognise that we are all equal in God’s eyes and that we are all unique and special in some way.
  • We welcome speakers from other faith communities to talk to the children about their religions. Some of these are parents of children at our school.
  • We visit other places of worship to support the British Values.

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