BRITISH VALUES

Promoting British Values at Carter’s Charity Primary School

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.”

The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy and these values were reiterated by the Prime Minister in 2014. At Carter’s Charity Primary School these values are a part of our everyday life in the following ways.

Democracy

Democracy is embedded in the school’s work and relationships. Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully to each other with concern for them, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. Pupils also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas through our School Council and regular questionnaires. The election of the School Council is based solely on pupil votes (following presentations), reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action. The School Council meets regularly and any proposals are discussed at Staff Meetings. Democracy is discussed/taught as part of the discussions about the School Council elections, creation of the class charter of rules, as part of the topic on Greeks and as part of the PSHE curriculum. The curriculum is often adapted to meet current events and this year (2015) that included a focus on elections in general and The General Election in particular. The work included an election process and contributions from our local MP.

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws whether they are those that govern the school or the country, are consistently reinforced. Each class discusses and displays the school rules which are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every pupil is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment. Our pupils are taught the values and reasons behind laws, how that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities they bring and the consequences when they are broken. Our aim is to develop a sense of community in which expectations are clear.

We encourage our parents and children to sign up to the Carter’s Charity Home School Agreement. This sets out the school’s expectations for behaviour and attitudes to learning. The Home School Agreement is reviewed from time to time. Parents, children staff and Governors are all involved in the review process.

The school follows a clear behaviour policy, including rewards and sanctions which are communicated clearly to our children in the classroom environment. Parents are given a copy of the Behaviour Policy.

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 our pupils to make choices safely in a safe environment and through an empowering curriculum based upon clear principles and values. Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely; examples of this can be clearly seen in our e-Safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it is through challenges, how they record, participation in our numerous extra- curricular activities, selection of hot meals and tidying away themselves, our pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect

Respect is one of our core values and key to our school rules. Our school ethos and behaviour policy are based around such core values as ‘respect’ and ‘responsibility’, and these values determine how we live as a community. Our assemblies are values based. We have 6 values and 12 related principles which are shared in assembly and in the classroom. A different value and the associated pair of principles are explored each term of the school year and all 18 values and principles are covered on a 2 yearly cycle.

Parents are informed on the Newsletter what the ‘value of the month’ is so they can talk about it at home. We have a display area in the hall that is related to the ‘value of the month’. Each class also has a designated area which allows focus on the values. At Carter’s Charity Primary School we have very high expectations of behaviour and conduct; where disrespect is shown it is challenged.

All of our children are members of a team that is named after a local river: Brock, Lune, Ribble and Wyre; and they can earn team points to help their team within the weekly, “Team of the Week”. They also support their teams at the annual Sports Day where children work together on a range of activities to earn points for their team.

Each week, teachers select a ‘Star pupil of the week’ in each class. These are celebrated in a weekly assembly (Celebration Assembly) and children take a certificate home.

Tolerance of those with Different Faiths and Beliefs

Our core value of respect ensures tolerance of those who have different faiths and beliefs. Carter’s Charity Primary School enhances pupils' understanding of different faiths and beliefs through religious education studies following the Lancashire Agreed Syllabus, PSHE work, visits to places of worship, welcoming visitors of other faiths, respecting the different faiths and beliefs of our own members of the school community and enjoying in-depth of study during themed weeks. Through these opportunities our pupils gain an enhanced understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society. We have a link with our local ministers, with whom we celebrate important events in the Christian calendar such as Harvest, Christmas and Easter. We recognise the contribution that British Values plays in promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils.

This is a link to the government's recommendations and guidance for school's focus on British Values:

Promoting fundamental British values through SMSC - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)