What do ‘British values’ mean?

According to the Department for Education (DfE), ‘fundamental British Values’ comprise:

    Democracy

        The Rule of Law

       Individual Liberty

   Mutual Respect For and Tolerance Of Those With Different Faiths and Beliefs, and For Those Without Faith.

The Department for Education (DfE) places a duty on EYFS providers, schools, colleges and training providers to prepare pupils for life in modern Britain by developing their understanding of ‘fundamental British values’. Schools in England are required by the government to actively promote fundamental British values to their pupils, both in lessons and in extracurricular activities.

At Cawston Grange Primary School we aim to actively promote the values by challenging opinions or behaviours in our school that are contrary to fundamental British values. This ensures our pupils understand the importance of respect and leave Cawston Grange Primary School, “fully prepared for life in modern Britain.” Our teachers are expected to, “uphold public trust in the profession and maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour, within and outside school. This includes not undermining fundamental British values.”

Evidence of teaching and promoting British values at Cawston Grange Primary School is stated below.

Democracy:

School Council (Junior Leadership Team) - Class elections are held and all children vote.

Class debates in R.E., History & English lessons - Children are encouraged to express their views and feelings. All children are supported in having their voice heard.

Ethics – Taught in a range of PHSE units

Relationship and Sex Unit -  Unit covered in Year 6 curriculum

The Rule of Law:

Fire Brigade and Police – Recurrent visits for children from EYFS through to upper KS2

Class rules -  Children discuss and agree to their own classroom rules during transition days and the start of a new school term

School rules & Behaviour Policy – All staff promote high expectations for children to follow. Children have been consulted and formed the behaviour policy in line with the Senior Leadership Team.

Internet Law and Safety – Support and up to date information given to parents through workshops.  Internet safety rules followed by units taught in computing to all children and security put in place to protect all children and staff.

Road safety – Support from Road safety workshops.

Drugs-  Unit taught in Years 5/6

School Values- Children and staff live out our core school values: Excellence, Respect and Friendship

Individual Liberty

Independent learning – children are encouraged to make choices during activities and their own learning through being responsible of their targets and next steps in learning.

Problem Solving Opportunities – Planned across the curriculum

Library – Children have a choice of independent reading books

Values Certificates- Weekly award given to children to praise them for their current achievements.

Class Assemblies – Children lead their assembly on a given theme.

Anti-Bullying – Anti bullying is firmly established. Whole school acknowledgement and themed days occur

Challenge Stereotypes  - Children participate in a range of sporting activities which challenge stereotypes such as football club (taught by a male and female teacher), High five (netball for boys and girls), football, rugby, cricket and basketball for both genders.  EYFS also support this by using a range of resources through independent play.

All staff support pupils in developing their self-esteem, self-knowledge and self-confidence which encourages the children to be independent and inspirational learners.

Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths

Differentiate - Children are given opportunities to work in mixed ability groups.

Faiths – The children have a wide opportunity to celebrate all different faiths through R.E topics and multicultural art / music weeks.

Visits and Visitors  - Our children have many opportunities throughout the school year to take part in an extensive variety of school trips from residential to Science, History and P.E. We also support the new National Curriculum 2014 by having many visitors to our school. We value this greatly as it enriches the children’s learning in and outside of the classroom.

Links with other schools – We regularly visit other primary schools within our local and wider community. This supports our learning of other faiths and celebrations and encourages the children to become confident in acquiring an understanding of, and respect for their own faith.