The Department for Education state 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 government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy and the Prime Minister reiterated these values in 2014.
At Saint Blaise we take our responsibility to prepare children for life in modern Britain very seriously. We ensure that the fundamental British Values are introduced, discussed and lived out through the ethos and work of the school. All curriculum areas provide a vehicle for furthering understanding of these concepts and, in particular, our values based collective worship, RE, SMSC policy, PSHE and Citizenship lessons provide excellent opportunities to deepen and develop understanding. Each British Value is linked to a key Christian text:
| British Value | Key Christian Text: |
| Democracy: | For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self control. 2 Timothy 1:7 |
| Role of Law: | Whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 |
| Individual Liberty: | Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10 |
| Mutual Respect: | Treat others just as you want to be treated. Luke 6:31 |
| Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs: | Treat others just as you want to be treated. Luke 6:31 |
Children embrace these concepts with enthusiasm and demonstrate a good understanding of their application to their own lives. The school makes considerable efforts to ensure children have exposure to a wide range of experiences beyond their local community during which these concepts are shown, through for example, sporting events, a range of visits and use of outdoor education centres. Their strong rooted Christian values-based understanding gives them an excellent platform for embracing difference.
| British Value | Statement | How do we promote it? |
| DEMOCRACY
Link to school values: |
The children at St Blaise see democracy borne out in a variety of ways and recognise this as being an essential component of successful team working.
Democracy is embedded at our school. Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and respect the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. |
✓ Adults listen to the views of the pupils and value their opinions, our school is founded on mutual respect.
✓ We have a school Pupil Parliament to which all pupils belong. Meetings are held regularly to debate and decide about a variety of issues that face our school. Guest speakers are encouraged to attend and participate. ✓ Each year the overarching school Golden Rules are debated and decided then individual classes create their own code of conduct. ✓ Two members of Maple class attend Parish Council meetings and report on life at St Blaise ✓ Children are involved in key decisions about aspects of school life such as organising charity fund-raising (CIN, Comic Relief), through work in house teams. ✓ Democracy is promoted through the curriculum – e.g. in debates, PSHE and some topic work. ✓ Children are regularly asked their views through regular questionnaire. The results are fed back, shared with staff and governors and then decisions may be made based on it. ✓ Children are able to work cooperatively in pairs, groups across year groups as well as in whole class/school situations. They understand about turn taking and respecting the views of others. ✓ Children regularly use the language of our values. ✓ Pupils in Maple class have an opportunity to attend a trip to The Houses Of Parliament – they take part in a workshop on Democracy. |
| THE RULE OF LAW
Links to school values: |
The children at St Blaise are familiar with this concept through the philosophy that infuses the entire work of the school.
The importance of rules, or laws, is constantly reinforced during lessons, break times, lunchtimes and Worship. Rules include class rules, School rules and rules that govern the country. |
✓ Each class discusses and sets its own code of conduct annually, ensuring they are clearly understood by all and are necessary to make certain that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment.
✓ Our high standards of behaviour across the school are promoted by positive praise and consistency by all staff. ✓ We operate a restorative approaches outlook on all aspect of behaviour. Pupils are encouraged to use an agreed script to solve problems. ✓ Our school playground charter is devised by the pupils; it is reviewed annually and supported by all staff. ✓ Playground leaders are trained to support pupils in upholding the playground charter. Leaders decide how to organise resources, time and supervision duties. ✓ Children are familiar with the concept through the discussion of values and, in RE lessons, the idea that different religions have guiding principles. ✓ Children are taught the reasons behind rules, the importance of observing rules and the consequences when rules are not adhered to. ✓ Children are familiar with the local police officers/PCSOs who visit to talk to them both informally and in structured lessons. |
| INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY
Links to school values: |
The children at Clifton Hampden C of E Primary are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.
Our teaching and learning philosophy places emphasis on the right to have our own thoughts and evidence based views.
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✓ Through our school values and aims, as well as through teaching across the curriculum (particularly in PSE) children are taught about personal responsibility, the courage to stand up for what is right, resilience and aspiration.
✓ Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedom and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-safety teaching and PSE lessons. ✓ Pupils are trained to use restorative scripts that help them to take control of situations and independently work things out. ✓ Staff are trained mediators and will support pupils to resolve conflict. ✓ Pupils are fully involved in creating anti- bullying materials. Anti- bullying workshops are attended by a core of pupils bi-annually, these pupils then form a committee that addresses ways to improve our school. ✓ In daily lessons, children are encouraged to develop independence in learning, to think for themselves and are provided with a choice in the level of challenge through differentiated success criteria. ✓ Children support school chosen charities through raising money – Comic Relief, operation Christmas Child and Sports Relief. ✓ Children are supported to raise funds as individuals either at school or through home based activities for charities that are close to their own hearts– Tickled pink, cancer research, Alzheimer’s. ✓ Outdoor education opportunities enable children to take individual risks in a managed way, e.g. by climbing trees, fire etc. ✓ Children are encouraged to discuss and debate, expressing their opinions and respecting the rights of others to differing points of view. |
| MUTUAL RESPECT
Links to school values: |
Respect is a fundamental school value at Saint Blaise, around which pivots much of the work of the school.
Respect is discussed deeply, starting with self-respect and covering respect for family, friends, and other groups, the world and its people, and the environment. |
✓ Our school ethos and behaviour policy are based around core Christian values such as “respect” and these values determine how we live as a community.
✓ We provide as many opportunities as possible for the children to work together across classes, key stages and across the school. PSHE activities and our values actively explore mutual respect through getting on with others. ✓ We have a family group structure of house teams mixing all ages together. ✓ We have high expectations of behaviour and a consistent approach by staff ensures mutual respect. ✓ Children are encouraged to celebrate diversity and to see everybody in the school as unique. PSE activities highlighting strengths and encourage children share their talents with others. ✓ Staff and governors are good role models treating each other as equals. ✓ Worship is based on our Christian values and they are central to how we expect everyone to go about their life at our school. ✓ Children live by the values and are keen to identify them in one another. They understand what they mean and can demonstrate these fully. ✓ The children know and understand what is expected and that it is imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have and to everything, however big or small. |
| TOLERANCE OF DIFFERENT FAITHS AND BELIEFS
Links to school values: |
This is achieved at Saint Blaise through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity.
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✓ Our school enhances pupils understanding of different faiths and beliefs through RE studies; PSHE work; visits to places of worship, welcoming religious leaders from different faiths, and discussing key festivals (Eid, Diwali).
✓ Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs is promoted. Pupils learning may be displayed within the classroom, as a school we use the Discovery Scheme of work (Berkshire) which meets the criteria of the Locally Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education ✓ Geographical studies ensure children learn about other cultures, e.g. music, dance, design, living and faiths from Africa. ✓ We use opportunities such as the WW1 centenary and World Cup to study and learn about life and culture in other countries as well as making links to other cultures through topics such as Food, Good to be me and History and geography topics. ✓ As part of our worship, children explore how a particular value is important in a range of faiths and act out traditional faith stories that demonstrate this. ✓ We actively support charities, both in Britain and overseas, developing the children’s appreciation and respect for the differences and inequalities in the world and of all the things that we share as human beings, for example the need for food, shelter, security and love. |