As a Church of England primary school, we encourage our children to be unique, creative, open-minded and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and of others in our school, our local community and the wider world. 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.
There are certain values that have been attributed to being British, as set out by the government in the 2011 Prevent Strategy. These fall into the following broad areas:
- Democracy
- The Rule of Law
- Individual Liberty
- Tolerance & Respect
Democracy:
Democratic values are explicit in the ethos at Walmsley CE Primary School. All adults listen to the views of the children and value their opinions. Our School Council is elected through a democratic system of ‘voting’ providing a ‘voice’ for all pupils. Pupils are given the opportunity to have their ‘voices’ heard through pupil questionnaires, and being listened to in class, assemblies, our worship box and general discussions.
The Rule of Law:
Our children are taught to understand the need for laws/rules - that they are there for individual protection, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws/rules are broken. We have School Rules and Class Rules which all promote the importance of the law. Our children are trusted and know that with trust comes great responsibility for and to both themselves and others. Children follow a positive behaviour policy and can clearly demonstrate an understanding of the rewards and sanctions that are used. Through our assemblies, collective worship and circle time, we teach respect for all, right and wrong, tolerance, respect and following the law. Visits from community services, the Police and Fire Service are used to reinforce these messages. Children are shown how they can contribute to the well-being of those in the locality and beyond, through many events such as visiting the elderly and supporting charities e.g. Urban Outreach, and our many Lent charities.
Individual Liberty:
Our children are encouraged to be independent learners, constantly making choices, within a safe and supportive environment - developing their self-esteem and self-confidence is seen as very important. Children are encouraged to understand their personal freedoms and are taught how to use these rights to best effect. They are taught consideration for others through our R.E. curriculum and PSCHE lessons in particular. E-safety and Health & Safety teaching enables them to make choices in a safe manner. We have peer mediators and playground pals and a very large majority of our children are involved in the numerous school clubs which occur in school.
Mutual Respect:
Our school’s ethos and behaviour policy are based on Gospel values. Assemblies promote the importance of self-respect, honest and open communication with others and fair play. Our children are taught to work collaboratively and value each other’s opinion. They work collaboratively and cooperatively with other schools through the many partnerships we have.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:
Our children are reminded of their place in a culturally diverse society and this is achieved through our R.E. curriculum, the spiritual life of the school and our creative curriculum. R.E lessons teach the children about other faiths as well as their own. Assemblies and class work promote the diversity of society and the right for each person to be respected and valued equally. Members of different faiths are invited to school to share their knowledge and to enhance learning. We celebrate the diversity of our world and hold dedicated weeks and days to learn and understand about the wider world, its cultures and people.
Promoting British Values in the Early Years
Democracy: making decisions together
As part of the focus on self-confidence and self-awareness as cited in Personal, Social and Emotional Development:
- Staff encourage children to see their role in the bigger picture, encouraging children to know their views count, value each other’s views and values and talk about their feelings, for example when they do or do not need help. When appropriate demonstrate democracy in action, for example, children sharing views on what the theme of their role play area could be with a show of hands.
- Staff support the decisions that children make and provide activities that involve turn-taking, sharing and collaboration. Children are given opportunities to develop enquiring minds in an atmosphere where questions are valued.
Rule of law: understanding rules matter as cited in Personal Social and Emotional development
As part of the focus on managing feelings and behaviour:
- Staff ensure that children understand their own and others’ behaviour and its 2 consequences, and learn to distinguish right from wrong.
- Staff collaborate with children to create the rules and the codes of behaviour, for example, to agree the rules about tidying up and ensure that all children understand rules apply to everyone.
Individual liberty: freedom for all
As part of the focus on self-confidence & self-awareness and people & communities as cited in Personal Social and Emotional development and Understanding the World:
- Children develop a positive sense of themselves. Staff provide opportunities for children to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and increase their confidence in their own abilities, for example through allowing children to take risks on an obstacle course, mixing colours, talking about their experiences and learning.
- Staff encourage a range of experiences that allow children to explore the language of feelings and responsibility, reflect on their differences and understand we are free to have different opinions.
Mutual respect and tolerance: treat others as you want to be treated
As part of the focus on people & communities, managing feelings & behaviour and making relationships as cited in Personal Social and Emotional development and Understanding the World:
- We create an ethos of inclusivity and tolerance where views, faiths, cultures and races are valued and children are engaged with the wider community.
- Children acquire a tolerance and appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures; know about similarities and differences between themselves and others and among families, faiths, communities, cultures and traditions and share and discuss practices, celebrations and experiences.
- Staff encourage and explain the importance of tolerant behaviours such as sharing and respecting other’s opinions.
- Staff promote diverse attitudes and challenge stereotypes, for example, sharing stories that reflect and value the diversity of children’s experiences and providing resources and activities that challenge gender, cultural and racial stereotyping.