Fundamental British Values

 

 

 

Democracy

One of the fundamental values at Greenfield Primary is the right of all members of the community to be heard and the responsibility of others to allow this to happen. This is taught and reinforced through all lessons, teaching and modelling to children and young people, how to make their needs and wishes heard in a way that society and school life find acceptable. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council and pupil questionnaires. The elections of class representatives for the School Council are based solely on pupil votes.  The School Council meets regularly and takes part in decision-making on a range of topics. These topics are also discussed within classes, so that all pupils have an input in decision making.

In the Early Years and Key Stage 1 there is particular focus on children learning to take turns and share in play, speech and time, and throughout their school life they are encouraged to share, and to show patience and respect.

Pupils are also aware of the role of the Royal Family within Britain, and participate in celebrations when there are significant royal events.

Our school behaviour policy includes reward systems to which the pupils have contributed.

The Rule of Law

All staff members have high expectations of the children in our school. The importance of rules are consistently reinforced in the classroom, as well as through school assemblies. Pupils are taught to understand the need for laws – that they are there for individual protection, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Within classes, pupils generate their own set of rules so that there is a common understanding of what is important in order for the class to be an orderly place to work.  Pupils follow a positive behaviour policy and clearly understand the rewards and sanctions that are used.

Assemblies and discussions in class focus on recognising right from wrong and visits from the Police and Fire Service help to reinforce these messages. The children discuss moral issues relevant to them related to their topic, and this enables them to listen, respond and behave with respect, and develop their understanding of the rules of the law.  Each year, pupils from year 6 attend the Crucial Crew event in Rotherham (Hellaby), meeting representatives from a range of organisations.

Individual Liberty

Pupils are encouraged to be independent learners, constantly making choices, within a safe and supportive environment. Developing their self-esteem and self-confidence is very important. Pupils are encouraged to understand their personal freedoms and are taught how to use these rights to best effect. All pupils are keen to support charities, whether local, national or global. This may be through a non-uniform day, bun sales and our Christmas and Summary Fairs.  

Pupils are taught consideration for others through our Religious Education curriculum and E-safety lessons and assemblies enable the children to make choices in a safe manner.

Pupils learn about times within history when individual liberty has been challenged or compromised such as during the First and Second World Wars, and they remember those who have given their lives to maintain our freedom.  We do the remembrance silence as a whole school and the children have had the opportunity to make a poppy for our poppy wall.

Mutual Respect

At Greenfield Primary School, our values of respect and tolerance permeate all areas of school life. This engenders a climate within which pupils feel safe and secure, and facilitates the fulfilment of potential. All staff demonstrate respect to everyone with whom they come into contact. They consistently model and promote the behaviours and attitudes that are the foundation of positive relationships. The strong school ethos encourages everyone to consider and support each other and to celebrate the worth and individuality of every member of the school community. Discussions in class and during whole school assemblies as well as issues that are promoted during collective worship, allow the children to show respect and reverence to all other individuals.  Children are awarded points throughout the year for positive behaviour and demonstration of following our school rules.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Pupils are reminded of their place in a culturally diverse society through our Religious Education curriculum and the spiritual life of the school. Assemblies and class work promote the diversity of society and the right for each person to be respected and valued equally regardless of ability, gender, faith, heritage or race. Visitors are invited to school to share their knowledge of different faith communities and enhance learning within assemblies and in class. Other cultures are studied through topic work throughout the school, including occasional special events such as a multi-cultural week.

 
 
 
DFE Guidance
 
Schools should promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs1. This can help schools to demonstrate how they are meeting the requirements of section 78 of the Education Act 2002, in their provision of SMSC.
 

Actively promoting the values means challenging opinions or behaviours in school that are contrary to fundamental British values. Attempts to promote systems that undermine fundamental British values would be completely at odds with schools’ duty to provide SMSC. The Teachers’ Standards expect teachers to uphold public trust in the profession and maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour, within and outside school. This includes not undermining fundamental British values.

Through their provision of SMSC, schools should:

  • enable students to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence;

  • enable students to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England;

  • encourage students to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and to society more widely;

  • enable students to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England;

  • further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling students to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures;

  • encourage respect for other people; and

  • encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England.

    The list below describes the understanding and knowledge expected of pupils as a result of schools promoting fundamental British values.

  • an understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process;

  • an appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens and is essential for their wellbeing and safety;

  • an understanding that there is a separation of power between the executive and the judiciary, and that while some public bodies such as the police and the army can be held to account through Parliament, others such as the courts maintain independence;

  • an understanding that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law;

  • an acceptance that other people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour; and

  • an understanding of the importance of identifying and combatting discrimination.

    It is not necessary for schools or individuals to ‘promote’ teachings, beliefs or opinions that conflict with their own, but nor is it acceptable for schools to promote discrimination against people or groups on the basis of their belief, opinion or background.a

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