Promoting British Values
At Emmer Green Primary, we actively promote British Values through the spiritual, moral, social and cultural education of our children.
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 this year (2014). At Emmer Green these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
- Each year the children decide upon their class charter and the rights associated with this. All the children contribute to the charter to make it personal to the class and meaningful to the children.
- Every year, we hold elections for School council. The children must complete a manifesto and propose reasons as to why they would be suitable for the responsibility. A formal style of voting takes place with confidential ballot forms.
- We have an active school council which meets regularly to discuss issues raised and make future plans. They represent the voice of their class and consult their peers. The council organises many fundraising events and shares the global causes for which they are working for.
- In dealing with conflict, teaching staff resolve conflict between pupils in a democratic way to show fairness to all pupils.
The Rule of Law
- Expectation of pupil behaviour is very high at Emmer Green Primary and we adhere to our Behaviour policy.
- Our ‘Kind and Helpful’ assemblies highlight the caring ethos we have and celebrate the success of this through the Headteachers award.
- The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Emmer Green.
- Moral purpose and respect are taught through assemblies, circle time and PSHE lessons. Our children have a good understanding of what is right or wrong and the difficulties in doing the right thing.
- Through our computing work the children understand cyberbullying and how this can affect them and should they experience it, how to rectify this.
- As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education.
- Our Inclusive attitude ensures pupils with individual programs can thrive whilst accessing the curriculum and engaging with their peers.
- Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our Internet Safety week children are aware of the dangers they may face and how to deal with them to protect themselves.
- Children understand that they have a right to an education and we promote their future aspirations by having a ‘University Week’ where junior children complete a course of their choice which reflects their personal interests.
- Our trained ELSA offers the children support with problems such as social interactions or confidence.
- Our Sex Education scheme of work includes lessons on: identity; self-awareness to develop self-esteem; challenging stereotypes and understanding difference.
- Cross-curricular links are made to teach about historical figures such as Nelson Mandela and the events debated.
- At Emmer Green, we have high expectations for the behaviour of pupils, staff and other adults who enter our school. These principles are mirrored in the following policies: Equal opportunities, Behaviour (pupil) and Staff Code of Conduct.
- SEN pupils share their attributes and challenges with their class to enhance the mutual respect between peers.
- Through assemblies, circle time and PSHE children discuss and learn about respect, co-operation and collaboration and the understanding of similarities and differences.
- We put an emphasis on respectful and polite behaviour around the school with our adults being exemplary role models to the children.
- Through systems such as our Year 6 Buddy System, Foundation Stage children learn positively about school behaviours from their Year 6 buddies.
- Other peer relationships such as buddy reading, peer mentoring and ‘Digital Leaders’ create strong, trusting relationships between pupils.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
- As a school, we actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures.
- Coffee mornings take place for our multilingual parent community. The parents are able to liase with others and find out about how they can support their children in school.
- Religious Education days allow children to immerse themselves into different cultures and to learn about their beliefs. Our assemblies and workshops support this work to give the children an engaging and meaningful experience.
- The children also visit places of worship that are important to different faiths.
- Our PSHE lessons and circle times also reinforce the messages of tolerance and respect for others.