Promoting British Values
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 Lostock Gralam CE Primary School, these values are reinforced
regularly and in the following ways, at an age appropriate level:
Democracy:
Each year the children decide upon their
class rules and the rights associated with
these. All the children contribute to the
drawing up of the charter.
Children have many opportunities for their
voices to be heard. We have a School
Council which meets regularly to discuss
issues raised in class and meet with
Governors. Two council members for each
year group are elected democratically by
their class. Those pupils standing for
School Council have to prepare their own
speech outlining how they would
contribute to the School Council if they
were elected.
Children have an annual questionnaire
with which they are able to put forward
their views about the school.
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 addressing behaviour and through
school assemblies. Pupils are helped to
distinguish right from worng.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. Our
school and class rules and expectations are
clear and fair. We have a restorative justice
approach to resolving conflict. Regular
visits from authorities such as the Police
and Fire Service help reinforce this
message.
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 young pupils to
make choices safely, through provision of
a safe environment and empowering
education. Pupils are encouraged to
know, understand and exercise their
rights and personal freedoms and advised
how to exercise these safely, for example
through our e-Safety and PSHE lessons.
Whether it be through choice of learning
challenge, of how they record, or of
participation in our numerous extracurricular clubs and opportunities, pupils
are given the freedom to make choices.
We encourage pupils to develop their
self-knowledge, self-esteem and selfconfidence. We implement a strong antibullying culture.
Mutual Respect
Our school ethos and behaviour policy
revolves around Core Christian Values‘Respect’ being one of these. Through
discussions and assemblies we explore
what this means and how this can be shown
to others. Respect is promoted around the
school and is reiterated through our
classroom and learning rules, our daily
conversations and expectations as well as
through our behaviour policy. Annual
events such as anti-bullying week and
Global days are celebrated and marked by
all members of the school community. We
promote respect for individual differences
and discuss differences between people
such as family situations, ethnicity,
sexuality, gender, disability, faith.
.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
At Lostock Gralam CE Primary School, we value the backgrounds of all our pupils and
families and we undertake a variety of events to celebrate these. We have global links
with South Africa and Zimbabwe and this, along with our family events, is enriching
for all our pupils as it teaches tolerance, and respect for the differences, not only in our
community, but also in the wider world. Worship is regularly planned to address this
issue either directly or through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety
of faiths and cultures. Our RE and PSCHE teaching reinforce this. Members of
different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance
learning within classes and the school. Children visit places of worship that are
important to different faiths.
At Lostock Gralam CE Primary School, we will actively challenge pupils, staff or
parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including
‘extremist’ views.
British Values and the Curriculum
This is underpinned by a range of curriculum topics which have strong
links to British values.Throughout the school pupils are reminded of the
impact the military had in fighting for the British Empire, and remember
those who lost their lives in a Remembrance service each year.
In KS1, there is a strong focus on the work of Grace Darling and how
she bravely participated in the rescue of survivors of the shipwrecked Forfarshire.
Throughout our English curriculum we study the works of
English writers and poets and spend time discussing the impact
of their work on British society.
In Art we look at the work of a variety of British artists and
how they have portrayed our society.
In History lessons we focus on important moments throughout British history and
teach the events chronology to the children in order for them to gain an understanding
of how Britain came to be: from the early British settlers, to the British Empire and up
to modern day Britain.
Pupils learn how the lives of key people, their deeds and accomplishments, impacted
on the development of British society. Cross-curricular links are made to engage the
children further in their learning and encourage them to think and question.