Promoting British Values at Greenbank 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 Greenbank Primary School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy:
Democracy is woven into all aspects of school life at Greenbank. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School’s Council and Pupil questionnaires. The recruitment and elections of the play leadership team, prefects and eco committee members are based on a democratic process with children giving speeches and elections
The 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 PSHCE and dinosaur school lessons as well as Rainbow room (therapeutic inclusion room) and nurture room sessions. Behaviour for learning as well as good citizenship are regularly discussed and celebrated in whole school assemblies and good examples are celebrated weekly through the distribution of certificates, selection of children to attend captain’s table or the appointment of child of the week.. 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 from authorities such as the Police, Fire Service and NSPCC are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message as does our annual ‘Aim Higher ‘week. Pupils are involved in deciding class rules and pupil charters linked to anti-bullying and SMSC outcomes.
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 safety, through the provision of a safe environment and empowering education that prepares children for the future. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms, to recognize risk and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety, outdoor learning and PSHCE lessons.. Whether it be through choice of challenge, how they record, or participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices and to respect the decisions and choices of others.
Mutual Respect:
Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around Core Values such as ‘Relationships’, and pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. Posters around the school promote respect for others (using assertive mentoring as the main vehicle for this) and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our behaviour policy. Pupils will challenge each other when not showing respect and encourage each other to be respectful.
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 PSHCE as well as extensive and intensive support in the Rainbow room and nurture room with one of our large group of learning mentors. Greenbank is a very culturally diverse school with a wide range of members of different faiths or religions. We encourage children to share their knowledge of their faith and culture within classes and the school and this is completed in a respectful and appreciative manner. Through our RE curriculum, we teach the main faiths and focus on learning about religion whilst promoting tolerance of the beliefs of others.