Promoting British Values at Claverley CE (VC) Primary School
This information sets out how we, at Claverley Primary School, develop and promote British Values throughout our school and within our curriculum. “We want every school to promote the basic British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs”. Part of our plan for education is to ensure children become valuable and fully rounded members of society who treat others with respect and leave school fully prepared for life in modern Britain.
Democracy:
We have a school council from Y2 – Y6 which meets regularly to discuss issues raised. Every child on the school council is voted in by their class. There are opportunities within assembly sessions and lunch times for current and relevant issues to be discussed and debated within class groups e.g. dinner time rules, new year resolutions. All of the children’s views are heard at this time and key points are fed back to the Head by the school council. Actions that will take place as a result of these key points are then shared once again with the children within an assembly. The children learn about political and social institutions that affect their lives. They learn about their responsibilities, rights and duties as individuals and members of communities. They are encouraged to have their say and their opinions matter. Monitors are selected to enable the children to fulfil their responsibilities. Through our curriculum children are taught about, and encouraged to respect, public institutions and services.
The Rule of Law:
The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Claverley. Pupils are taught from an early age the rules of the school. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and 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 and Fire Service help reinforce this message.
School rules: School has a generic set of rules that each child is expected to follow, based upon our values of Forgiveness, Truthfulness, Responsibility, Trust, Friendship and Compassion. In addition, each class decides upon its own class rules for the year in September; these rules are displayed in each class. These rules play a fundamental role on our behaviour sanctions and rewards.
Individual Liberty:
At Claverley, 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 informed choices, through a safe environment and an 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 eSafety and PSHE work. Claverley has an anti-bullying culture and behaviour and safety policies in place.
PSHE is used to teach Social, Emotional and Behavioural skills throughout the school. Collective worship is used to both explore and support the school’s values. By teaching the children how to manage and understand their emotions they will be motivated and equipped to:
• Be effective and successful learners
• Make and sustain friendships
• Deal with and resolve conflict effectively and fairly
• Solve problems with others or by themselves
• Manage strong feelings such as frustration, anger and anxiety
Children in Year Six are given key roles and responsibilities such as play leaders, reading buddies and sports ambassadors.
Mutual Respect:
Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect.
We all have high expectations of achievement and behaviour. Children and staff are polite and kind. We believe that everyone has their own special gifts and we are expected to use them. We listen and respect each other. We teach the children that conflict will be dealt with calmly and fairly. All members of the school family are equally valued. We celebrate each other’s achievements whether that be in or out of school. Our teachers make lessons enjoyable and interesting and everybody is expected to do their best and respect others. When our older children are given key roles and responsibilities and work alongside younger children this helps to promote mutual respect across the different age phases e.g. play buddies and house team work.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
Our approach to teaching R.E. helps children to learn about and have respect and tolerance for different faiths and beliefs. This is supported by visits to different places of worship and inviting visitors in to school to share their personal experiences. Children are encouraged to share their own experiences when celebrating their own faith. Daily worship reflects and teaches the children about tolerance for different faiths and beliefs. We have class prayer and a worship group. Activities within school support both children and adults of different or no faith, the children are taught respect and tolerance of these groups and the opinions and feelings of the groups are taken into account with all activities.
British Values Policy Feb 2022