Promoting British Values at Walderslade Primary
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 these values have been reiterated by the Prime Minister this year. At Walderslade Primary these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
- Democracy:
Democracy is intrinsically woven through all of school life at Walderslade. Pupil voice is encouraged and heard through a variety of channels in school including House Captains, Wellbeing leads, School council, Subject MPs and Family leads. Voting, complete with campaigns, speeches and 'proper' voting booths and ballot boxes occur regularly throughout the year, ensuring that pupils are aware of the democratic voting process.
- The Rule of Law:
The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police; Fire Service; Justices of the peace etc. are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.
The children activley engage with setting class and school rules, and the Relationships and Behaviour policy demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that any consequences for breaking rules are fair and consistently applied. Pupil voice is key when we review our policies and they have regular input into our shared consequences overview.
- 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 educate and provide boundaries for our children to make choices around their safety, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education.
Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our Online-Safety and PSHE lessons (Jigsaw). Whether it be through choice of resources, of how they record their learning or of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
- Mutual Respect:
Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around Core Values such as ‘Respect’, and pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. Displays around the school promote respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our behaviour policy.
Our value of respect is intrinsically woven throughout our curriculum and school community. From our expeditions, our work with local community or learning about the wider world, our children show respect for all.
- Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:
This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. We engage with local faiths in the community and have had both assembly and curriculum time looking at different faiths led by key members within the community. Our school utilises the different faiths, cultures and beliefs within our community to celebrate difference and promote tolerance of all.
