Teaching British Values
Promoting British Values at English Martyrs’ Catholic Primary School
The Department for Education (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 aim to promote fundamental British Values which require schools as part of a broad and balanced curriculum to promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at school. (Guidance November 2014) The Prevent Duty in June 2015 also provides guidance on how to identify children who are vulnerable to radicalisation, and know what to do when they are identified.
At English Martyrs’, we promote these values and reinforce them regularly in the following ways:
Democracy
Each year the children decide upon their class rules. All the children contribute to the drawing up of the rules. We have a school council which meets regularly with the Head Teacher to discuss issues raised in class council meetings. The council has its own budget and is genuinely able to effect change within the school. Every child on the student council is voted in by their class. Children have an annual questionnaire where they are able to put forward their views about the school.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at English Martyrs’ School. Pupils are taught from an early age the rules of the school.
Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and 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 and Fire Service help reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty
At English Martyrs’, 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 informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-Safety and PSHE lessons. They also understand that with rights come responsibilities.
Mutual Respect
Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
At English Martyrs’ we actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures. Religious Education lessons and PSHE lessons reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others. The children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths. As a school we work closely with families from different faiths in order to ensure that all children are included.
