British Values at Old Sarum primary School
Old Sarum on the outskirts of Salisbury is a growing vibrant community. Our community Primary School is committed to, and recognises the multi-cultural, multi faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. We understand the important and vital role we have in ensuring that we promote British Values within all that we do to ensure groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.
Our policies and procedures ensure no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar is tolerated. We understand that preparing children for their adult life beyond the curriculum and school is of paramount importance and ensure that we promote and reinforce British values throughout their time with us.
All schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught . The government set out its definition of “British Values” in its 2011 “Prevent Strategy”; These are the values of:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
Democracy Rule of Law Individual Liberty Mutual Respect Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
We believe that the best way to promote British values in our school is by example. We aim to embody democracy in the way we work and within the ethos and culture of Old Sarum Primary School. We have a clear and consistent framework of rules, regulations and high expectations which are there for the benefit of us all.
British values are also taught explicitly through Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education and Citizenship (PSHEE & C), and Religious Education (RE) through assemblies, visits and visitors. Here are some examples:
Whole School Activities
- Ongoing Assemblies on the themes of British Values which include class contributions (see examples below)
- Head Teacher assemblies focus upon the SEAL Themes and the school has half termly SEAL days to (in addition to other areas) develop children's ability to accept responsibility for their behaviour, to understand the consequences of their behaviour and actions, develop the ability to resolve conflicts effectively.
- Use of the 'Jigsaw' Scheme to teach PSHCE - Please see specifics below
- Head Teacher Awards celebration assemblies (every Friday) recognises children who follow the school rules and demonstrate responsibility for their own learning and behaviour.
- Assemblies and in class learning cover a range of different religious festivals.
- The annual election of the School Council members: candidates make speeches, pupils consider characteristics important for an elected representative, pupils vote in secret using ballot boxes etc. Made up of one representatives from each year group, the School Council meets regularly to discuss any issues raised by pupils as well as working on whole school projects and representing the school at special events.
- 'Pupil voice’- children agree their Class Charter and the rights associated with these; all children contribute to the drawing up of the charter at the start of the school year in their classes.
- 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
- Use and promotion of the 'Golden rules' throughout the school alongside behaviour choice flowchart used in all classrooms to manage learning behaviour
- Yearly police talks / emergency services visits throughout the school to develop understand that living under the rule of law protects them and is essential for their well- being and safety
- “Lunchtime” awards for kindness and helping adults
- Religious Education, SEAL and other lessons where we might develop awareness and appreciation of other cultures, learning about the differences in countries and cultures around the word this is enhanced greatly by the schools Zambia Link and teacher visits to and from Kuanda Square Primary, Lusaka, Zambia (please see international link section for more information)
We also teach British Values through planning and delivering a broad and balanced creative curriculum. Some examples from year group activities;
- Talk time sessions in EYFS, where philosophy for children is used to develop understanding of right and wrong, of cultural similartities and differences, and of respect for the differences and similarities between themselves in aspects such as where they live, what type of family they have and the jobs their parents and carers do.
- RE sessions where children are encouraged to be reflective about their own beliefs, religious or otherwise that inform their interest in and respect for different people’s faiths, feelings and values
- Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs through class discussion.
- We at Old Sarum have diversity in the cultural backgrounds of the children in our school and this is celebrated. A range of different resources are used to support the entire curriculum to help pupils understand and welcome diversity
- Through the provision of a safe, supportive environment and empowering education, we provide boundaries for our young pupils to make choices safely; for example: choices about what learning challenge or activity, choices about how they record their learning
- 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 e-safety and SEAL lessons.
- Children in different year groups have opportunities to participate in local community activities for e.g. having a say in local park design, visiting the new local shop for its opening, visiting the local care home for the elderly to sing Christmas songs
British Values and Jigsaw PSHE
'Jigsaw PSHE helps promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
Jigsaw contributes, as a good PSHE programme should, to the British Values agenda very significantly, both through the direct teaching of information and through the experiential learning children will enjoy.
The 5 strands of the British Values agenda have been mapped across every Puzzle and every Piece (lesson).'
http://www.jigsawpshe.com/british-values/
Please see the document link below for more information