In accordance with The Department for Education we aim to actively promote British values in school to ensure our pupils leave school 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.
At Alumwell Infant School we promote ‘British Values’ through RE, PSHE and our spiritual, moral, social and cultural education which permeates through the school’s curriculum and supports the development of the ‘whole child’.
We recognise that such development is most successful when those values and attitudes are promoted by all the staff and provide a model of behaviour for our pupils.
As a school that serves a richly diverse community, we take our responsibility to promote community cohesion, generate a respect for difference and individual rights seriously. Our curriculum enables pupils to recognise the valuable role that they play as emerging citizens in British society.
At Alumwell Infant School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy
Democracy is richly embedded within the school. Pupils have many opportunities to have their voices heard through our School Council, pupil questionnaires, meetings with the Head Teacher and through general class debates. The elections of School Council members are based on pupil votes. Pupils are listened to and are taught to listen carefully to others. They are taught to respect the right of individuals to have their voices and opinions heard and are taught to discuss issues in a calm and balanced way. Our school behaviour policy involves rewards which the pupils vote on as a class group.
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 at Alumwell Infant School. 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.
Individual Liberty
Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we provide boundaries for our children to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and planned curriculum. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our assemblies, PSHE curriculum and e-Safety teaching. Pupils are given the freedom to make choices, e.g. attending extra-curricular activities and supporting fund raising
Mutual Respect
Mutual respect is at the core of our school life. All pupils and staff are expected to treat each other with respect. Pupils learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. Posters around the school promote respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom rules, as well as our behaviour policy.
Toleration of those of different faiths and beliefs
At Alumwell Infant School we offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which all major religions are studied and respected. We strongly believe that tolerance is gained through knowledge and understanding. Through our curriculum and the routines of our daily school life, we strive to demonstrate tolerance and help children to become knowledgeable and understanding citizens who can build a better Britain for the future. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.
The curriculum
The curriculum is regularly reviewed to ensure that it promotes the areas above. It also ensures that pupils are taught about key events and figures in history. Events during the year celebrate culturally diverse occasions and memorable events taking place in the country.
As well as actively promoting British values we would actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British values, including “extremist” views.