British Values

Teaching British Values

The DfE have stated 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.”

As a Church of England School we have chosen our Christian Values of Reverence, Koinonia, Forgiveness, Endurance and Friendship which play an integral part of our school ethos. However we also promote, embrace and reinforce implicitly and explicitly the important values included in the statement above.

These are values which are important within our school community and which will be important throughout life. In all that we do we strive to share, encourage and demonstrate positive values with our children, in order that they understand them and strive to live by them.

At Hawkhurst C.E. Primary School we are committed to the development of positive community links and the prevention of extremism and radicalisation both within our school’s physical boundaries and within our local, national and global environments. We are also committed to responding to community concerns in a positive way which supports British democratic society.

We believe that sharing our values with parents, carers and our community is essential in supporting the children through their journey in school and life. We acknowledge and understand the importance of the role that our community has to play and appreciate the need to inform them of the values work that we do. We do this through our school website and newsletters, through our Parish Church, school assemblies and inviting parents and carers to share in the life of the school.

Here are some examples of how we promote British Values within the school experiences of our pupils:

Democracy 

Democracy plays a key role within the day to day life of our school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our proactive School Council, through pupil questionnaires and through talking to staff. Our pupils also participate in Collective Worship and have influence on whole school practice. Elections are held for positions of responsibility and opportunities such as choosing ‘House Captains’. Individual pupils also have the opportunity to put themselves forward for roles and responsibilities such as the class representative on the School Council and for the older children, peer mentoring.

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, are reinforced during the school day, 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. Each class choose their own class rules and codes of conduct which they adhere to. Every child will discuss a Pupil e-Safety Acceptable Usage Pledge. We encourage visits from community authority figures such as the Local Police, Fire Service, and other visitors (see Curriculum Enrichment calendar), who all help to reinforce this message .We have a restorative approach to pupil behaviour.

Personal Responsibility and 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 the provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms as well as teaching them that how they act, can impact positively and negatively on others. They are advised on how to exercise these freedoms safely, for example through our e-safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it is through choice of challenge, how they record their work or participate in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect

Respect for each other, for our school and to others in our community is an integral part of our school ethos and Behaviour Policy. Pupils see staff model this by treating each other with respect and courtesy and we promote this in the way our children interact with each other in their classes and during social times. Mutual respect and fair play is also discussed within sports based activities.

Tolerance 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. Opportunities to share and discuss this message occur through assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been promoted through R.E. and PSHE and Circle Time, as well as taking opportunities to tackle this during every day school life. Children listen to faith stories from other religions and have the opportunity to discuss these.