Promoting the Values in Britain
The DFE have reinforced the 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 faith and beliefs."
The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated in 2014. At Broad Hinton C of E Primary School these values are reinforced and promoted in so much of what we do, not at least during our collective worships, Religious Education and Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE). The values are integral to our long-standing visual ethos statement which complements British values and always has done.
At Broad Hinton C of E Primary School, we actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinons contrary to fundamental British values including 'extremist' views.
Democracy
Children, parents, community and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard at Broad Hinton School. Democracy is central to how we operate. Examples include:
- election of the School Council Executive reflects our British electoral system and demonstartes democracy in action. Each team elect their own representatives 3 times a year. The council has its own budget and is genuinely able to effect change within the school
- nomiation/election of team representatives on Eco School Team, Sports Council, Friendship Group and Community Ambassadors who have regular meetings with staff and the headteacher to voice opinions and to enhance the school environment, opportunities and learning for the children
- all children draw up and agree their team 'Golden Rules' at the beginning of each year
- regular circle times allow for all pupils to voice their opinions, listen carefully to each other and respect others
- children are encouraged through our purple learner initiative to take ownership of their own learning and progress with the help from staff and parents in partnership
- children, staff, governors and parents complete an annual questionnaire in which they are able to put forward their views about the school
- children are able to respond and reflect on the teaching and learning as well as the spiritual, moral, social and cultural aspect of the school through the learning platform DB Primary
- children learn about democracy through time via their topic learning in history.
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 collective worhsips, circle times and when reflecting on behaviour choices. At the start of the school year, each team discuss and sets its own 'Golden Rules', a set of principles that are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every team member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment. A consistent procedure of rewards and sanctions operate throughout the school so each individual child understands right from wrong and the consequences that could result in making the wrong choices in learning and behaviour.
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/rules are broken. These values are reinforced in different ways:
- visits from authorities such as the police, fire service and school nurse
- during Religious Education, when rules for particular faiths are thought about
- during other school subjects, where there is respect and appreciation for different rules eg: physical education lessons, playground games.
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. These may include:
- choices about what learning challenge or activity
- choices on taking responsibility for their own learning with teachers and parents as facilitates and supporters (purple learners)
- choices about how they record their learning
- choices around the participation in extra-curricular activities.
​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 PSHCE lessons.
Mutual Respect
Mutual respect is at the heart of our vision and ethos and it's one of our three values for the school; Love, Care and Respect.
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 whatever. Children learn that their behaviour choices have an effect on their own rights and those of others. The children are encouraged to support each other irrespective of background, ability or faith and this is reinforced in our Ethos, Behaviour and Discipline Policy and the values that underpin the ethos of the school. All members of the school community should treat each other with respect.
Tolerance of those of Different Faith and Beliefs
Broad Hinton C of E Primary School is becoming a more diverse school. We actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures. Religious Education lessons, circle times and PSHCE lessons reinforce messages of tolerance and respect of others. Themed weeks and themed days also allow for tolerance of others to be discussed and thought about to develop personal skills and opinions of all. Our multicultural pages, linking us with Desari Memorial School in Nairobi, illustrate our commitment to exploring our diverse community. New children joining us who have English as a second language are encouraged to speak in their native tongue and staff enhance this by using strategies given by outside support which include: class labels in a different language and daily use of 'Language of the Month' website to learn new words together. Members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within teams and the school. The school encourage visitors to school of different faiths.