Promoting British Values at Beck Row Primary Academy
The Department for Education state that there is a 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.”
Government Guidance for Promoting British Values
SMSC_Guidance_Maintained_Schools
BRITISH VALUES STATEMENT
The Department for Education state that there is a 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.” At Beck Row Primary Academy these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
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 these rules. We have a school council which meets every month with a senior member of staff to discuss issues raised in class council meetings. The council is given a budget and is genuinely able to effect change within the school. Every child on the student council is voted in by their class. Children have a bi annual questionnaire where they are able to put forward their views about the school.
The Rule of Law
The importance of Laws whether they are those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced regularly in one form or another in school on a daily basis and further reinforced through dealing with specific examples of poor behaviour, school assemblies and interactions with parents. 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. 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 PSHE lessons and sessions on E-Safety. Whether it be through choice of learning challenge, of how they record, of participation in our extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual Respect
Mutual respect is given high priority in school and promoted through a range of class based and whole school means. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community are expected to treat each other with respect and be polite.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
At Beck Row we actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures. Religious Education lessons and PSHE lessons reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others. Members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school and the children learn about and where possible visit, places of worship that are important to different faiths.
At Beck Row Primary Academy we will actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.