British Values
Promoting British Values
The DfE have 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 Moorside Infant and Junior Schools these values are reinforced regularly and as part of the school curriculum.
Democracy
Children’s viewpoints are regularly sought in lessons and through interviews. Recently they have been involved in creating a new school logo to celebrate the schools’ new relationship.
The school council also uses a democratic method to vote in new members and present their student voice.
Within the curriculum, we use local, national and international issues, including Brexit, party elections and presidential elections to consider viewpoints and promote discussions.
The Rule of Law
The school has a clear set of expected behaviors together with associated consequences. The children are able to administer these themselves and recognise the need for a shared understanding that applies to everyone.
In PSHCE lessons, solution circles and assemblies, children are given the opportunities to consider how laws are used to keep everyone safe and enable law enforcement to have a set of rules to use.
Our use of Restorative Practice also enables children to consider how their behavior has consequences for others as well as themselves.
Individual Liberty
All children are actively encouraged to develop their own views as well as listening to those of others and accepting these, even if they differ from their own.
Making choices and the consequences of these is part of our daily work with children. Through our work on developing ‘Metacognition and Growth Mindsets”, we actively encourage children to understand themselves and take risks to learn something new.
Children are given information regularly about keeping themselves safe, including internet safety, Bikeability, Health and Safety (Crucial Crew), Stranger Danger and PANTs (NSPCC).
Mutual Respect
Respect is a fundament element of our PRIDE ethos and values in our schools. We have:
- Pride in Ourselves
- Respect for Others
- Independence and Collaboration
- Determination to Achieve
- Enthusiasm and love for learning
These are referred to in lessons and form the focus of assemblies throughout the year.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
Children are taught about different faiths and beliefs during RE and PSHCE lessons. These are enriched with visitors to school who can give children first hand viewpoints.
Through our focus on Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural curriculum, children are taught about the differences in our society and how prejudices are harmful.
Moorsides’ Experience Days
To enhance our focus on British Values and Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural curriculum, we have designed an additional curriculum to enrich the children’s experiences and opportunities to develop a broad understanding of the world they live in.
