In support of the Department for Education (DofE) document: Promoting fundamental British Values as part of Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural Development (SMSC) in schools – Departmental advice for maintained schools and Academies, November 2014.
The Department for Education states 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”.
Our school reflects British values in all that we do. We nurture our pupils on their journey through life so they grow in to caring, responsible and tolerant adults who make a positive difference to British society and to the wider world. We encourage them to be creative, unique, open-minded and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and others in our school, our local community and beyond.
Embracing British Values at Prior’s Mill C of E School
At Prior’s Mill C of E, we actively promote British values in the following ways:
Democracy
Pupils have many opportunities for their voice to be heard. They are encouraged to debate topics of interest, express their views and make a meaningful contribution to the running of the school. They are able to do this in a number of ways e.g. school council, house captains, questionnaires and surveys, and assemblies.
Rule of Law
The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school worship.
We have a clear positive behaviour policy which helps pupils to make good choices about their behaviour. Pupils are helped to distinguish right from wrong, in the classroom, during worships and in the playground. Pupils are encouraged to respect the law and school enjoys visits from services such as the Police, Fire and Ambulance services to help reinforce the message.
Individual Liberty
At school, pupils are encouraged, and given the freedom to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment, e.g. challenging themselves in their learning. They are supported to develop self-knowledge, self-confidence and a growth mind set in all areas of school life. 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 and worships. Pupils are given the freedom to make choices of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities.
Mutual Respect
Respect is at the heart of our values – Prior’s Promise. Pupils understand that respect is shown to everyone, both adults and children. 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 children know and understand that it is expected and imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have.
Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs
Prior’s Mill C of E is a school that is slowly becoming more culturally diverse and we therefore place a great emphasis on promoting diversity. Worships often address this issue either directly or through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures. We recently successfully achieved School of Sanctuary status.
Pupils visit a variety of places of worship. Through the PSHE and RE curriculum, pupils are encouraged to discuss and respect differences and similarities between people. Staff and pupils are encouraged to challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour.
We help pupils to develop an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures. Staff and pupils are encouraged to challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour. Through the PSHE and RE curriculum pupils are encouraged to discuss and respect differences and similarities between people.
