Promoting British Values
British Values at Broomhaugh C of E First School
As a church school where every member of the school community is valued and promoted we uphold and teach pupils about the defined “British Values” which include:
- democracy
- rule of law
- individual liberty
- mutual respect
- tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
These values are taught through Personal, Social, Health and Emotional and Citizenship dedicated sessions (PSHE + C), as well as during Religious Education (RE). The whole concept behind the promotion of these values is reflected in the aims and ethos of the school and our shared vision for the children to be the best they can be.
We take opportunities to actively promote British Values through daily collective worship and whole school systems and structures such as electing and running a School Council. We also actively promote British Values through ensuring that our curriculum planning and delivery includes real opportunities for exploring these issues.
At Broomhaugh C of E First School, these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy:
Democracy is an important value at our school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council. The elections of members are based on pupil votes.
Pupil voice surveys are conducted to ensure children all recognise they have a voice and children are encouraged to express their viewpoint and helped to do so when they find this a challenge.
The Rule of Law:
The importance of laws and rules, whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days. Our system for behaviour is aligned to an agreed set of rules – better known as “The Calm School Code”. If children are given verbal warnings this is always set against the agreed school behaviour code.
Children are asked to identify which aspect of the code they have broken to ensure that this connection is made and understood. 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 etc. form a valuable part of our calendar and help reinforce this message.
To encourage, promote and reward good behaviour, attitude and work, we have devised a reward system which is consistently followed throughout the school.
We are committed to praising children’s efforts. We endeavour to praise the children informally, individually, during group work, in front of the whole class and the whole school. Children are rewarded not only for achievement in curriculum areas, but for behaviour and general adherence to striving to be “make a difference in God's World by being the best that they can be”.
Rewards are given in the form of stickers, team points, house points and certificates. Children’s achievements are also recognised during Celebration Assemblies.
Individual Liberty:
Pupils are actively encouraged to make choices at our school, 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 e-Safety teaching and acceptable use agreements. Pupils are given the freedom to make choices, e.g. signing up for extra-curricular clubs.
Mutual Respect:
Our school ethos and behaviour policy are clearly informed by core Christian values such as ‘respect’ and ‘responsibility’ and these values determine how we live as a community at Broomhaugh C of E First School. Collective Worship is based on ‘Christian Values for Life’ which are central to how we expect everyone to go about their life at our school.
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 in our local community which is by and large white British. Collective Worship and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE. We use opportunities such as the Olympics and World Cup to study and learn about life and culture in countries such as Brazil.
All children study different world faiths and learn about their customs, practises and celebrations. We invite guest speakers, visit different places of worship and always aim to give the children a real experience of a different belief system.