British Values

In accordance with The Department for Education we aim to actively promote British values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. Pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law.

The Key Values are:

• Democracy
• Rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect
• Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

These are predominantly taught through our PSHE curriculum, assemblies and through our pupil leadership including Pupil Parliament and Children's Government. The children are taught about the definitions and how this is now applied to everyday life to ensure it is relevant. Work with British Values is then linked closely to our own school principles, underpinning high expectations and aspirations for our pupils.

Democracy

• We teach how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process.
• We have an elected Children's Government. This is used as an opportunity to promote and teach respect about democracy and the electoral process.
• The Children's Government represent the school in decision making for supporting local and national charities.
• Democracy is also promoted through additional PSHE lessons, circle times, assemblies and visitors.
• We encourage volunteerism providing responsibilities within classrooms and around the school.

The Rule of Law

• We teach pupil to appreciate that living under the rule of law in Britain protects individual citizens and is essential for their well-being and safety.
• We have high expectations about pupil conduct and this is reflected in our praise-led behaviour policy. There are rewards for exhibiting responsible actions and respectful behaviour; demonstration of our values is recognised through such things as Values certificates, Head Teacher Awards, Class Dojo points and our Celebration Assemblies.
• Through our school values and collective worship, children are supported to develop a strong sense of morality, taught how to earn trust and respect, learning how to make positive choices even when it is difficult.
• We encourage the local police officer/PCSO to visit the school to talk to the children and explain about their role in society.
• Community groups and Nottinghamshire Road Safety teams come into school to talk about responsibilities children have in their local community.
• The Fire Service come into school to talk about safety in and out of the home.
• The school’s own Safeguarding Policy is our guide to best practice.
• Classes are encouraged to make their own suggestions for change through circle time.
• Online safety is explicitly taught through PurpleMash.
• Our planning is cross-curricular and includes ‘real life’ situations including those linked to laws e.g. learning about the Great Plague of London and COVID.

Individual Liberty

• Through our school values, collective worship and PSHE programme, children are taught about personal responsibility, choices, ambition and aspiration. They are encouraged to take opportunities to follow their interests in art, music, sport and participate in extra-curricular activities offered including sport.
• Children are given opportunities to engage in a range of sporting activities during competitions, their lunchtimes and after school.
• Children are taught how to keep themselves safe, including online. This is done through computing lessons, collective worship and outside organisations, as well as through the PSHE curriculum.
• Our school has ELSA groups, Pod Squad and interventions which give tailored pastoral support.
• Our work to prevent bullying is on-going with a clear Anti-Bullying Policy throughout the school community.
• Local community members attend school to talk about the area in the past and those people and events within it.#

Mutual Respect

• Children are taught to understand the importance of identifying and combating discrimination.
• We have high expectations about pupil conduct and this is reflected in our Behaviour Policy and Equal Opportunities Policy.
• RE planning has explicit links to respect.
• Curriculum planning gives children opportunities to develop mutual respect including work on protecting the environment and supporting the community.
• Children are taught to respect each other, to be co-operative and collaborative and to look for similarities while being understanding of differences.
• Mutual respect is also promoted through additional PSHE lessons and collective worship.
• There is no difference in the way any of our children and their families are treated. We celebrate our diverse community.
• Each year group takes part in and watches performances.
• A variety of charity events are held and supported by the children and families of the school including: Comic Relief, Macmillan, Tutu Day and Children in Need.
• Children are involved in actively raising money through school e.g non-uniform days and sponsored events.
• Children respect and look after our school grounds and keep them clear of litter.

Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs

• We teach children that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law.
• We have high expectations about pupil conduct and this is reflected in our Behaviour Policy and Equality Policy.
• Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs is promoted through the Locally Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education. Children learn about different religions, their beliefs, places of worship, how they pray and festivals. The children’s work on this subject is often displayed in the classrooms or around the school.
• As a school we celebrate diversity.
• Collective worship which, although mainly Christian in nature, marks and celebrates significant religious festivals such as Ramadan and Diwali.
• Visits are made by local religious leaders.
• Children have the opportunity to visit places of worship.