Promoting British Values at Armitage

 

Promoting British Values at Armitage C.E. Primary School

The DfE have recently reinforced the need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to 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”.

The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values were reiterated in 2014. At Armitage, these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

 

Democracy

Every Key Stage One and Two class is represented by two pupils on our School Council. An election is held at the start of each academic year, allowing children to vote for those pupils they feel will best represent their class at School Council meetings. The School Council meets regularly to discuss important issues relating to school. Examples of such discussions include the purchasing of lunchtime equipment, fundraising ideas, school dinner menus and rewards for good work and behaviour.

Children regularly engage in ‘Pupil Voice’ questionnaires, giving them the opportunity to have their say on their learning experience. Appropriate actions, if needed, are taken in response to children’s views.

 

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Armitage.

Our School Behaviour Policy sets clear expectations for children across the school to follow. The consequences for failing to adhere to these rules are clear and children recognise the need for this if their behaviour falls short of what is expected. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and law, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Our highly successful Peer Mentor system at lunchtime, allows children to monitor their peers’ adherence to these rules.

Equally, children are rewarded in a variety of ways for successfully following school rules. Such rewards include ‘Star of the Week’, Merit certificates, attendance prizes, ‘Hall of Fame’ membership and termly parties for meeting individual targets.

Visits from authorities such as the Fire Service and our close links with the local Police help us to reinforce these messages.

 

Individual Liberty

At Armitage, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make informed choices, through a safe environment and empowering education.

Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our RAG rating in ICT which encourages children to think about the potential risk posed by their use of a computer. Furthermore, children consider these rights in PSHE lessons, all of which link to the Articles from The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Pupils are given the freedom to make choices and to respect the decisions and choices of others. An example of this is in children choosing which extra-curricular clubs and opportunities they wish to participate in. Many of our Year 5 and 6 children participate in the ‘Debate Mate’ programme which is underpinned by the value of showing respect for the opinions and rights of others.

 

Mutual Respect

Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. Our School Mission Statement talks about the importance of respect and as such, all members of the school community treat each other with respect.

Our 2014 SIAMS inspection supports this, stating that ‘Christian values are clear and are demonstrated in the relationships between all members of the school. These are based on respect, care for each other and high aspiration.’

 

Tolerance of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Armitage is an incredibly diverse school and we actively promote this diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures. Religious Education and PSHE lessons consistently reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others.

Members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. Children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths.

We use opportunities such as the Olympics and World Cup to study and learn about life and culture in other countries.