Promoting British Values

Promoting British Values at Woodfall Primary School 

The DfE have recently 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 faiths and beliefs.”

The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated by the Prime Minister this year. At Woodfall Primary these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy: Democracy is rife within our school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council, Pupil Interviews and our annual Pupil questionnaires. The elections of the school council representatives are based solely on pupil votes. The school council has a budget and the representatives are able to discuss how best to use this to effect change in school. At the end of the school year, pupils are asked which after-school clubs they would like to be organised. This information is then used to plan of our extra-curricular activities. In our school children have the opportunity to take on several roles and responsibilities – Play Leaders, Peer Counsellors, Buddies, Eco-Warriors, School Council Reps, Rotakids, Digital Leaders, House Sports Captains and Sports Leaders.

The Rule of Law: The importance of Laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular in class and across the school, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. 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 to school by authorities such as the Police and Fire Service are part of our calendar and help reinforce this message. Pupils have the opportunity to meet local authority councillors at school events.

Our school behaviour system is aligned to an agreed set of rules and if children are given verbal warnings this is always set against the agreed school rules. Children are asked to identify which rule they have broken to ensure that this connection is made and understood. Our rewards system in school reinforce our expectations of behaviour choices.

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 of provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PHSCE lessons.

Mutual Respect: Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around Core Values such as ‘Respect’, and pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. This is reiterated through our classroom and school rules, as well as our behaviour policy. Children are recognised for their great respect, great manners or helpfulness here at Woodfall via our assemblies.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs: This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PHSCE. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. Pupils are provided the opportunity to visit local religious places of worship during the school year.