BRITISH VALUES at Seven Stars
As a school we ensure that our curriculum and ethos encourage an understanding of how children as citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process and promote:-
- an understanding that the freedom to hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law
- an acceptance that people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour
- an understanding of the importance of identifying and combatting discrimination
Through our 'Open Doors' curriculum and throughout the school community we seek to:-
- ensure all pupils within the school have a voice that is listened to, and demonstrate how democracy works by actively promoting democratic processes such as a school council whose members are voted for by the pupils
- use opportunities such as general or local elections to hold mock elections to promote fundamental British values and provide pupils with the opportunity to learn how to argue and defend points of view
- consider the role of extra-curricular activity, including any run directly by pupils, in promoting fundamental British value
Through such curriculum and whole school areas as SMSC, PSHE, History, Geography and RE to promote an understanding and tolerance of the wider community and make comparisons between British values and democratic systems and those of other countries
WHAT ARE OUR BRITISH VALUES?
Democracy:
Pupil voice, as well as parent/carer voice, plays a central part in developing school improvement priorities. The school is clear in demonstrating how pupils should contribute and co-operate and consider the views and needs of others.
The democratically elected Pupil Parliament meets regularly and takes part in decision making on a range of topics including topics that the other children in school have brought to their attention or in response to pupil well-being surveys.
Local politicians and councillors are welcomed into school on a regular basis and talk to the children about the importance of democracy and the role of politicians in improving the lives of the community.
The Rule of Law:
Staff consistently reinforce high expectations of pupils. Whenever appropriate pupils are taught the value and reasons behind these expectations (rules), that they are there to protect us, everyone has responsibility and there may be consequences when rules are disregarded.
The Class Charters are discussed in each class and restorative approaches are key to our school behaviour systems.
The local police/PCSOs visit the school on a regular basis to talk to the children about keeping safe and the way the Rule of Law is there to protect us all. Our Year 4 children are involved in an annual project with the local police on such issues as car crime and anti-social behaviour.
Individual Liberty:
Within school, everyone is actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.
The school provides pupils with opportunities to learn about what makes a good choice. Pupils are encouraged to express their views and teaching and learning incorporates their preferences and interests. This is a crucial part of our PSHE curriculum and partner talk in English and other lessons help to build pupil confidence in sharing their views.
Playtimes are currently being developed to increase opportunities for pupils to take risks, make choices, develop team skills and roam freely (within whole school agreed risk assessments)
Mutual Respect:
At Seven Stars, values of respect and tolerance permeate all areas of school life. This engenders a climate within which pupils feel safe and secure and facilitates the fulfilment of potential. All staff demonstrate respect to everyone with whom they come into contact. They consistently model and promote the behaviours and attitudes that are the foundation of positive relationships. The strong school ethos encourages everyone to consider and support each other and to celebrate the worth and individuality of every member of the school community.
We advocate 'One Kind Word' and emphasise our message that it is ok to be a little 'oddish' - rather than use our differences to put each down we will celebrate our uniqueness and differences to build each other up
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:
The school’s curriculum aims to develop understanding of the world. The RE and PSHE schemes of work provide opportunities for pupils to develop tolerance of and empathy towards those from different faiths, beliefs and cultures. In our mainly white British community we are actively encouraging engagement with other cultures and communities (e.g. a focus on Islam in the Spring term 2022 when we will be welcoming a Muslim teacher into school)
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British Values – what it looks like at Seven Stars |
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DEMOCRACY Children, parents and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard at Seven Stars Primary School. Democracy is central to how we operate.
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.
Parents’ opinions are welcomed at Seven Stars Primary through methods such as questionnaires, surveys at parents evenings and opportunities to comment on whole school matters e.g. Homework and other school matters such as the proposal for a new SEND unit or our behaviour management system. |
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THE RULE OF LAW
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, each class discusses the school rules and class routines, 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, these rules are displayed in each class along with the Code of Conduct of the school. These rules play a fundamental role in our behaviour sanctions and rewards throughout 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. These values are reinforced in different ways:
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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, we provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely; for example: •choices about how they can improve 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 PSHE lessons. By teaching the children how to manage and understand emotions they will be motivated and equipped to:
Children in Year 5 and 6 are given key roles and responsibilities within school such as Play Leaders. Through opportunities such as our extra-curricular clubs and Residential Trips, pupils are given the freedom to make safe choices. Children at Seven Stars are encouraged to make choices knowing they are in a safe and supportive environment.
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MUTUAL RESPECT
We have high expectations of achievement and behaviour. Children and staff are polite and kind. We believe everyone has their own special gifts and we are expected to use them. We listen and respect each other. We teach the children that conflict will be dealt with calmly and fairly. All members of the school family are valued equally. We celebrate lunch time behaviour and taking care of our school environment. We celebrate each other’s achievements whether that be in or out of school through our weekly Reward Assembly. Teachers plan exciting, interesting, challenging and innovative lessons where everybody is expected to do their best and respect others. When our older children are given key roles and responsibilities to work alongside younger children this helps to promote mutual respect across the age phases.
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TOLERANCE FOR THOSE OF DIFFERENT FAITHS AND BELIEFS
Seven Stars Primary are proud to promote and celebrate our different backgrounds and beliefs. Tolerance, politeness and mutual respect are at the heart of our aims, ethos and R.E curriculum.
Our core values drive us towards ensuring that our pupils are able to live and work alongside people from all backgrounds and cultures. This will be particularly necessary in a future where due to technological advances will make the 'world a smaller place.' Our pupils know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone and to everything, whatever differences we may have. Children learn that their behaviour choices have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community are encouraged to treat each other with respect.
Specific examples of how we at Seven Stars Primary enhance pupils’ understanding and respect for different faiths and beliefs are:
•Through Religious Education, PSHE and other lessons where we develop awareness and appreciation of other cultures – in English through fiction and in art and music by considering cultures from other parts of the world.
•Celebrating cultural differences through assemblies, themed weeks, noticeboards and displays.
Children are encouraged to share their own experiences when celebrating their own faith. We have our ‘Seven Stars Prayer’ which the children collaborated on and which encompasses a shared belief and value. Activities within school support both children and adults of different or no faith, the children are taught respect and tolerance of these groups and the opinions of the groups are taken into account with all activities. Whilst instances contrary to our values are relatively rare, each is treated seriously in line with our policies and expectations. |