British Values
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In June 2014, The Prime Minister recognised the important role that British values can play in education. As well as actively promoting British values, the opposite also applies: we would actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British values, including ‘extremist’ views. Below are just a few examples of how we promote British values. The first section is a general overview; the others are specific expectations set out by Ofsted. Being part of BritainAs a school, we value and celebrate the heritages of everybody at St Bartholomew’s. Alongside this, we value and celebrate being part of Britain. In general terms, this means that we celebrate traditions, such as customs in the course of the year; for example, Harvest festival during the Autumn term, and a trip to a pantomime at Buxton Opera House! |
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Democracy
Children, parents and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard at St Bartholomew’s Primary. Democracy is central to how we operate.
Examples of ‘pupil voice’ are:
- Children agree their behaviour Charter and the rights associated with these; all children contribute to the drawing up of the charter.
- Children have the opportunity to nominate and vote for others to receive a certificate for great learning or choices.
- Using Pupil Feedback forms, children are asked to respond and reflect on the teaching and learning.
Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. We encourage pupils to take ownership of not only their school but also of their own learning and progress. This encourages a heightened sense of both personal and social responsibility and is demonstrated on a daily basis by our pupils.
Rules and Laws
The importance of rules and laws, whether they be those that govern our school or our country, are referred to and reinforced often, such as in assemblies and when reflecting on behaviour choices. At the start of the school year, a set of principles that are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment.
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. These values are reinforced in different ways:
- visits from authorities such as the police and fire service.
- During Religious Education, when rules for particular faiths are thought about.
- During other school subjects, where there is respect and appreciation for different rules – in a sports lesson, for example.
Individual Liberty
Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Through the provision of a safe, supportive environment and empowering education, we provide boundaries for our young pupils to make choices safely; for example:
- Choices about what learning challenge or activity.
- Choices about how they record their learning.
- Choices around the participation in extra-curricular activities
Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are taught how to exercise these safely, such as in our e-safety and SEAL lessons.
Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
Our pupils know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have, and to everything, whether it is a school resource, a religious belief or whatever. Children learn that their behaviour choices have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community should treat each other with respect.
Sadly, no school can guarantee that there will never be instances which are contrary to this value. At St Bartholomew’s Primary, such instances are extremely rare.