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 this year (2014). At Southfields Primary these values are reinforced regularly and are evidenced in the following ways:

Schools, through their curriculum, are legally bound to actively promote fundamental British values.

Southfields for many years has taught English Heritage and pupils already have developed a good understanding of the our country, its history and some of our customs, values, democracy, law, liberty, respect and tolerance to actively promote the government are asking all schools to focus on, and show how, the school’s work is effective in securing these British Values as a school we approach this using many different strategies some examples are listed below.

As a school we have pupil leadership through the School Council, Interfaith Council, Sports and Arts Ambassador’s, Cares welfare team, Playground Pals, Charity Leader as well as a school magazine, Community Cadets, Pupil Panel and House Captains. All of this groups lead work within the school to further promote British Values and English Heritage.

As part of our curriculum we also enhance British Values through assemblies and special performances and gatherings such as Mother’s Day. Father’s Day, May Day dance festival, Country Dancing festival, WW1 and WW2 commemorative days and Poppy Day, Animals in the war day linked with the local donkey sanctuary as well as Christmas Performance, visits from Santa and the Easter Bunny and Church events such as Christingle, Easter service and our own school internal café resource area to promote British traditions, artifacts, food and history which is also adapted half termly to become other countries and cultures.

Democracy

Provide pupils with a broad general knowledge of, and promote respect for, public institutions and services
Teach pupils how they can influence decision-making through the democratic process
Include in the curriculum information on the advantages and disadvantages of democracy and how it
works in Britain
Encourage pupils to become involved in decision-making processes and ensure they are listened to in school
Organise visits to the local council and Parliament
Hold ‘mock elections’ so pupils learn how to argue and defend points of view
Help pupils to express their views
Teach pupils how public services operate and how they are held to account
Model how perceived injustice can be peacefully challenged

Rule of law

Ensure school rules, codes of conduct and expectations are explicit, clear and fair
Help pupils to distinguish right from wrong this is enhance by our wonderful links with the Police and local PCSO’s who fully support the work of the school
Help pupils to respect the law and the basis on which it is made
Help pupils to understand that living under the rule of law protects individuals
Include visits from the police in the curriculum
Teach pupils aspects of both civil and criminal law and discuss how this might differ from some religious laws
Develop an understanding of restorative justice approaches to resolve conflicts. Restorative justice is a theory of justice that emphasises repairing the harm caused or revealed by criminal behaviour against another person or other people.

Individual Liberty

Support pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence
Encourage pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour, as well as knowing their rights
Model freedom of speech through pupil participation, while ensuring protection of vulnerable pupils and promoting critical analysis of evidence
Challenge stereotypes
Implement a strong anti-bullying culture
Follow the UNICEF rights respecting schools agenda

Southfields pupils are actively encouraged to make informed choices, knowing that they are in a safe and a supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make informed choices, through providing a safe environment and an empowering education. Our 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 Please see our website for more details on these areas as well as support tools. As a school we believe in the importance of forgiveness and trying to put things right.

Respect and tolerance

Promote respect for individual differences
Help pupils to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life
Challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour
Organise visits to places of different types of worship
Develop links with faith communities such as through our Interfaith Council and links with other Peterborough religious groups and settings
Develop critical personal thinking skills
Discuss differences between people, such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, intellect, gender or sexuality and differences of family situations, such as looked-after children or young carers as well as wealth and the distribution of wealth and support from the government through funding such as pupil premium and other benefits that support educationally.

Kindness and 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. The first of our rules is that I will be respectful and polite.

Click on this link to find more resources, information and findings about British Values

Commitment to charity work

The school encourages families and pupils to participate in and support charities nationally and locally. This reinforces that there are large numbers of people both at home and overseas who are much less fortunate than ourselves who need our support. The school and its pupils and staff as a result of this each half term support a range of charities. For more details or meetings please write or contact the school office to book an appointment with our Pupil Charity Pupil Leaders.