British Values
Promoting Fundamental British Values.
In accordance with The Department for Education we aim to actively promote British values in school to ensure young people leave us prepared for life in modern Britain.
Pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law.
The Key Values are:
- democracy
• rule of law
• individual liberty
• mutual respect
• tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
We help children to remember the British Values through the thumb and finger model:
Thumb – Democracy – up or down to give opinion.
Index finger – Rule of Law – pointing
Middle finger – Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs – tallest finger pointing to God.
Ring Finger – Mutual respect – wedding ring – respect for other people
Little finger – Individual Liberty – sticks out on its own.
At Rosa Street Primary School we reinforce these values regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy
Democracy is an important aspect of school life. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our Pupil Council and Pupil Questionnaires. We also have various groups running in
school in which children can take an active role in making key decisions. For example, children are part of various groups such as ‘Rights Respecting Group’, ‘Eco Club’ and Young Carers Group’ in which
children make decisions about improvements in school and have the opportunity to be listened to.
The Rule of Law
The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, 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.
Visits from authorities such as the Police; Fire Service; Lifeguards etc. are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message. We have been a Rights Respecting School for many years and children have become more aware of their own and other’s rights. They are able to talk about the importance of protecting those rights.
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 safety, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to
exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) lessons. Whether it be through choice of challenge, of how they record, or participation in
our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual Respect
Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around Core Values such as ‘Respect’. Pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. The school promotes respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and school life, as well as our behaviour policy.
Tolerance of those 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. Assemblies and discussions involving
prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE.
Please see our class section for more information.
