Promoting British Values

Newlands Primary School is committed to serving its community. It recognises the multi-cultural, multi faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. It also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.

The Department for Education states that there is a 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 Department for Education defines British Values as follows:
  • Respect for democracy and support or participation in the democratic process
  • Respect for the basis on which the law is made and applies in England
  • Support for equality of opportunity for all
  • Support and respect for the liberties of all within the law
  • Respect for and tolerance of different faiths and religious and other beliefs

Our school reflects British values in all that we do. 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. We encourage our children to be creative, unique, open-minded and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and of others in our school, our local community and the wider world.

The school uses strategies within the National Curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for students. The examples that follow show some of the many ways our school seeks to embed British values.

Democracy

  • All children are encouraged to discuss topics of interest, express their views and make a meaningful contribution to the running of the school on matters that directly involve pupils. Children also have the opportunity to have their voices heard through school council, pupil questionnaires and pupil surveys.
  • The elections of members of the School Council are based on pupil votes
  • Our school behaviour policy involves rewards which the pupils have discussed and certificates designed by the pupils.

Rule of Law

  • Our school follows ‘Golden Rules’, which are integral to our learning and ethos every day.
  • School rules and expectations are clear, fair and regularly promoted.
  • Pupils are always helped to distinguish right from wrong, in the classroom, during assemblies and in the playground.
  • Pupils are encouraged to respect the law and Newlands hosts visits from authorities such as the Police, Fire Service, Ambulance, etc. to help reinforce this message
  • The Behaviour and Anti-Bullying policies set out a zero tolerance baseline for any form of aggression, abuse or violence, which extends to pupils, staff and parents and carers. Pupils are encouraged to be independent learners, constantly making choices, within a safe and supportive environment.

 Individual Liberty

  • Within school, pupils are actively encouraged, and given the freedom to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. e.g. by signing up for extra-curricular clubs.
  • Pupils are supported to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence through encouraging a growth mind-set.
  • Pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour and our pastoral support reinforces the importance of making the right choices.
  • Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-safety teaching and PSHE lessons.
  • Vulnerable pupils are protected and stereotypes challenged. A strong antibullying culture is embedded in the school and any form of bullying is challenged and addressed. The school also operates a robust system of logging incidents.
  • Pupils have key roles and responsibilities in being part and looking after our school environment e.g. Peer mediators, play leaders

Mutual Respect and Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs

  • The pupils know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone, adults and children. Collaborative work is used within lessons and children value others’ opinions.
  • Pupils are helped to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life.
  • Staff and pupils are encouraged to challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour.
  • Links and visits are promoted with local faith communities and places of worship. E.g. Members of different faiths or religions are invited to school to share their knowledge and enhance learning within assemblies and in class.
  • Through the PSHE and RE curriculums pupils are encouraged to discuss and respect differences between people, such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, gender or sexuality and differences of family situations.
  • Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudiced-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE.
  • We offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which all major religions are studied and respected and global dimension work embedded in many of our curriculum. These curriculum topics offer children the chance to reflect on our core values and British values