British Values
From September 2014, schools within England have had a duty to promote British Values. The Department for Education (DfE) define them as:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
These values are taught explicitly through Personal, Social, Health and Emotional (Life skills), and Religious Education (RE). We also teach the British Values through planning and delivering a broad and balanced curriculum
The school takes opportunities to actively promote British Values through our daily assemblies and whole school systems and democratic structures such as electing and running a successful School Council. Our commitment to promoting the rule of law is demonstrated through our clear and fair school rules, which are consistently applied across all levels. Through lessons, assemblies, and everyday interactions, we also emphasize the importance of individual liberty and mutual respect. We also actively promote the British values through ensuring that our curriculum planning and delivery includes real opportunities for exploring these values. Actively promoting British Values also means challenging pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.
Democracy:
Children, parents and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard at Tendring Primary School. Democracy is central to how we operate.
An obvious example is our School Council. The election of the School Council members reflects our British electoral system and demonstrates democracy in action: candidates make speeches, pupils consider characteristics important for an elected representative, pupils vote in secret using a ballot system. Made up of a representative from each class, the School Council meets regularly to discuss issues raised by the different classes.
The Rule of Law:
The importance of rules and laws, whether they be those that govern our school or our country, are referred to and reinforced often, such as in assemblies and when reflecting on behaviour choices
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. These values are reinforced in different ways:
- visits from authorities such as the police and the fire service
- during Religious Education, when rules for particular faiths are thought about
- our Behaviour Policy ensures that children who display behaviour which is not in line with our school ethos are challenged and supported in developing their understanding of right and wrong.
- during other school subjects, where there is respect and appreciation for different rules e.g. in a sports lesson
Individual Liberty
Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Through the provision of a safe, supportive environment and empowering education, we provide boundaries for our young pupils to make choices safely; for example:
- choices about which learning challenge or activity to complete
- choices about how they record their learning
- choices around the participation in extra-curricular activities
Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are taught how to exercise these safely, such as in our e-safety lessons and through SMSC.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance
Our pupils know and understand that it is expected and imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have, and to everything, whether it is a school resource, a religious belief or other form of cultural diversity. Children learn that their behaviour choices have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community should treat each other with respect.
Specific examples of how we at Tendring Primary School enhance pupils understanding and respect for different faiths and beliefs are:
through Religious Education, SMSC and other lessons where we might develop awareness and appreciation of other cultures (eg. in English through fiction and in Art by considering culture from other parts of the world)
Extremism
Something which is clearly not part of any British or European value is extremism. The designated safeguarding lead in school is up to date with this Prevent training.
The government has published Prevent duty guidance which you can read on the following website:
Prevent duty guidance: England and Wales (2023) - GOV.UK
No Outsiders
What is No Outsiders about?
No Outsiders teaches children they belong in school. We say there are 'No Outsiders' here because everyone is welcome; we talk about being different and playing together. No Outsiders is taught through the use of 42 picture books from Reception to Year 6. Many of the books are books you might already have seen such Elmer the elephant. In addition to lessons, each Monday our school assembly focuses on a No Outsider theme to show real life examples of inclusion around the world.
Why are you focusing on difference?
The UK is an increasingly diverse place to live and we want our children to understand the importance of belonging and difference being a positive thing. It is our responsibility to prepare young people for life in modern Britain and be accepting of the many wonderful differences they will encounter throughout life.
If you would like to know any more about No Outsiders please follow the link below.
