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Fundamental British Values

The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy and these values were reiterated by the Prime Minister in 2014.

“A key part of our plan for education is to ensure children become valuable and fully rounded members of society who treat others with respect and tolerance, regardless of background.”

“We want every school to promote the basic British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs.”

“This ensures young people understand the importance of respect and leave school fully prepared for life in modern Britain.”

Our school reflects British values in all that we do.  We aim to nurture our children on their journey through life so they can grow into safe, caring, democratic, responsible and tolerant adults who make a positive difference to British society and to the world. We encourage our children to be creative, unique, open-minded and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and of others in our school, our local community and the wider world. 

The Collective Worship Long Term Plan highlights where the Fundamental British Values are taught.

At St Ann's Church of England Primary School these values are reinforced regularly, through our dojo reward system, and in the following ways outlined below.

Value

How We Promote It

DEMOCRACY

 

  • We have an elected Rights Respecting Parliament (School Council). During Democracy day, children produce manifestos which are presented to their class as part of the election process. All children then take part in a ballot, voting for the candidate who they think is most worthy of becoming their classes member of the Rights Respecting Parliament and also as Head Boy and Head Girl. This is used as an opportunity to promote and teach about democracy and the electoral process. Children are presented with badges to show that they are members of this parliament and these are presented by the Mayor of St Helens. 
  • The beginnings of democracy are taught through historical research of the Ancient Greece civilisation.
  • Democracy is promoted through PSHE lessons, collective worship and in real life contexts where necessary. 
  • During Democracy Day, children are taught how to be a good citizen and what this looks like. This is then echoed throughout the year during assemblies, worships and PSHE lessons; in line with our Rights Respecting Behaviour and Relationships Policy. 
  • We encourage volunteerism and activism both in and out of school e.g. litter picking in the local community and through our Super Leader teams. Many of our pupils like to raise money for good causes in their own time.
  • We celebrate UK Parliament Week.
  • Additional democratic opportunities are encouraged and children are provided with opportunities to take part in votes e.g. voting for new playtime equipment, voting for a charity to support on STAR day.

THE RULE OF LAW

 

  • We have high expectations about pupil conduct and this is reflected in our Rights Respecting Relationship and Behaviour Policy. 
  • We have three school rules based around 3Cs – Courtesy, Care and Concentration.
  • There are rewards for exhibiting good and caring behaviour and consistent demonstration of our values is recognised through various awards e.g. Rights Respecting Hero.
  • Through collective worship and PSHE programme children are taught how to earn trust and respect and are supported to develop a strong sense of morality; knowing right from wrong and doing the right thing even when it’s difficult.
  • A wide range of visitors are invited into school to talk to the children and explain about their role in society. These include, but are not limited to, local community police officers. 
  • Children learn about the rule of law through special activities e.g. Bikeability.

INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY

 

  • Through our distinctly Christian values and PSHE programme, children are taught about personal responsibility, choices, ambition and aspiration. 
  • They are encouraged to take up opportunities to follow their interests in art, music, sport for example, by joining one of the many extra-curricular clubs we offer.
  • Our PSHE programme has specific units relating to individual liberty.
  • Children are taught how to keep themselves safe, including on-line.  This is done through computing lessons, collective worship and outside organisations such as the NSPCC, as well as through the PSHE curriculum. We also celebrate Safer Internet and host parent workshops about this very important matter. 
  • Individual liberty is taught through collective worship, especially those focused on protected characteristics, equality and diversity, global issues and significant figures throughout history e.g. Martin Luther King, International Day for Disabled Persons.
  • Aspirations Focus Days promotes the wide range of career choices available. These views are echoed throughout the year with links to real life careers and aspirations being made wherever possible. 

MUTUAL RESPECT

  • We are a UNICEF Right’s Respecting School.
  • Displays around school promote the respecting of all children’s rights.
  • We have high expectations for pupil conduct and this is reflected in our Rights Respecting Relationships and Behaviour Policy.
  • Mutual respect is promoted through a number of our policies including Community Engagement and RE Policy.
  • Through our Christian values and PSHE programme children are taught to respect each other, to be co-operative and collaborative, be supportive and to look for similarities and to celebrate and embrace differences.
  • Mutual respect is promoted through collective worship.  A range of specific worships are delivered focusing on helping other pupils to understand protected characteristics and charities.
  • Every year we celebrate Interfaith Week through our Interfaith Focus Day.
  • Every year one class will lead a family worship all about World Religion Day.
  • Staff role model mutual respect for the children.

TOLERANCE OF DIFFERENT FAITHS AND BELIEFS

  • We have high expectations for pupil conduct and this is reflected in our Rights Respecting Relationship & Behaviour Policy
  • Other policies promote tolerance of different faiths and beliefs e.g. Community Engagement, Equality & Diversity, RE.
  • Our Equality Scheme and Equality Objectives ensures tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.
  • Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs is promoted through the syllabus for Religious Education and through our PSHE curriculum.  Children learn about different religions, their beliefs, places of worship and festivals.  The children’s work on this subject or whole school learning in worship is often displayed in the classrooms or around the school.
  • This is supplemented by collective worships which promote the protected characteristics.
  • Every year we celebrate Interfaith Week through our Interfaith Focus Day. Through this special day, a different world religion is learned about.
  • Every year one class will lead a family worship all about World Religion Day.
  • Visits are made by local religious leaders and children have the opportunity to visit places of worship.
  • Where relevant explicit links are made to tolerance of different faiths and beliefs across the curriculum e.g. in English and the wider curriculum.

Each class library contains books that promote Fundamental British Values.