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St Michael's C of E Primary School

British Values

Promoting Fundamental British Values at St Michael’s Primary School

In accordance with The Department for Education, we aim to actively promote British values in our school to ensure young people 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.

The Key British Values are:

  • democracy
  • rule of law
  • individual liberty
  • mutual respect
  • tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

We actively promote British values through

  • Focusing on and showing how the school’s work is effective in securing these values
  • Challenging pupils, staff, visitors or parents who express opinions contrary to British values

Democracy - what do we do?

  • Class voting for the election of school councillors at the start of the year;
  • Provide pupils with a broad general knowledge of, and promote respect for, public institutions and services;
  • Teach pupils how they can influence decision-making through the democratic process;
  • Taught through assemblies and our school curriculum e.g. Ancient Greek Democracy, ;
  • Encourage pupils to become involved in decision-making processes and ensure they are listened to in school;
  • Help pupils to express their views;
  • Model how perceived injustice can be peacefully challenged;
  • Use restorative justice within our behaviour policy;
  • Pupils vote as to which class treat they have earned;
  • KS2 workshops provided by the Houses of Parliament Education Team
  • Pupils write to local councils and MPs on environmental issues affecting the local community in order to be more sustainable for future generations.

Rule of law - what do we do?

  • Ensure school rules and expectations are clear and fair;
  • Class rules and celebration of adhering to these rules;
  • Help pupils to distinguish right from wrong;
  • Help pupils to respect the law and the basis on which it is made;
  • Help pupils to understand that living under the rule of law protects individuals;
  • Explore within our Personal Development Lessons laws and what to do if peer pressure is trying to persuade children to break these;
  • Promote the Rights Respecting School Articles (in assemblies etc);
  • Visit from police to take about knife crime with Year 6;
  • Y5 Mini police after school club run by the police.

Individual liberty - what do we do?

  • Support pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem, self-confidence;
  • Encourage pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour, as well as knowing their rights;
  • Model freedom of speech through pupil participation in debates and discussions, while ensuring protection of vulnerable pupils and promoting critical analysis of evidence;
  • Challenge stereotypes e.g. through audit or resources;
  • Implement a strong anti-bullying culture;
  • E-Safety units are taught throughout the year and across the school;
  • Teach a dedicated topic on slavery in Year 6.

Mutual respect and tolerance of different cultures and religions– what do we do?

  • Use the Jigsaw programme within our Personal Development lessons and through assemblies to explore the protected characteristics of the 2010 Equality Act to promote respect for individual differences and to actively challenge stereotypes;
  • Use assemblies to explore and respond to critical news events (e.g. terrorist attacks, Black Lives Matter etc);
  • Explore positive role models (where possible) through our St Michael’s Curriculum who reflect the protected characteristics of the 2010 Equality Act;
  • Challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour;
  • Organise visits to places of worship;
  • Run SARI (Stand Against Racism and Inequality) workshops;
  • Dedicated Faith days celebrated across the school each year includes children leading activities
  • Have visitors in school to lead workshops on different faiths
  • Celebrate festivals across faiths, religions and cultures
  • Our RE scheme ensures that our children have a good understanding of a range of religious beliefs and customs;
  • Help pupils to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life.