British Values at Spixworth Infant School
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 faiths and beliefs.”
The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values were reiterated by the Government in 2014. At Spixworth Infant School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
We value our School Council at Spixworth Infant School. The class representatives are democratically elected and regularly attend meetings. The School Council have recently contributed to the design of our school website.
Our Governing Body is comprised of elected representatives from the staff, parents, local authority and the community; they meet termly with the Headteacher.
We invite parents and carers for their views throughout the academic year through curriculum cafes and coffee mornings; the school operates an open door policy. Questionnaires are distributed to parents and carers and pupils are asked to complete an annual questionnaire.
The Rule of Law
From entry to school pupils are continually taught to recognise the difference between right and wrong and this, alongside their developing maturity, helps them to apply their understanding of these concepts in their daily lives, both at school and in the wider community. Our Core Values; Safety, Teamwork, Achievement, Respect and Stimulating underpin the curriculum at school and children have a good understanding of the expectations for behaviour and learning. We operate a Playground Buddy system at the school where older children model good behaviour and support their younger peers during break times. Through the curriculum children are taught about rules and laws in the wider community.
Within our school children are encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment to enable them to do this. Through assemblies and PSHE children learn about their personal freedoms and take part in discussions and activities about how to exercise these safely, for example through e-safety and road safety.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those with Different Faiths and Beliefs
Our RE curriculum, PSHE lessons and assemblies reinforce the message of tolerance and respect for others. Key celebrations in different faiths are learned about and stories from around the world are shared throughout curriculum. Pupils are taught to recognise the similarities and differences between religions and cultures.
Children are taught salutations in different languages from entry into school and are encouraged to use them to greet others. Respect is one of our core values at school and children are encouraged to share their own beliefs and respect others’ beliefs. This is reinforced throughout school with all members of the school community treating each other with respect.