British Values

The Department for Education have highlighted 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 national Prevent Strategy.

The expression of extremist views by anyone in school will not be tolerated.

We expect all staff to encourage pupils to respect the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. Staff will ensure that partisan political views are not promoted in the teaching of any subject in the school and where political issues are brought to the attention of pupils, reasonably practicable steps will be taken to offer a balanced presentation of opposing views.

In line with our School vision & ethos and through provision of Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development opportunities, we aim to:

· Enable children to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self- confidence;

· Enable pupils to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England;

· Encourage children 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 children to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England;

· Promote tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling pupils to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures;

· 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.

At Hoole Church of England Primary School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy

Children are taught about democracy from an early age at Hoole Church of England Primary School. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard via the following activities:

· Consultation with Pupil Forums including the House of Hoole, Ethos Ambassadors and the Punctuality & Attendance Crew to shape the direction of school policies and processes.

· Opportunities to discuss experiences and life in school with key stakeholders including the Senior Leadership Team and school governors.

· Collaborating with staff on the review and development of school policy, including the Anti-Bullying and Behaviour Policies.

· Contribution to the wider cross-school EIP pupil forum.

· Opportunities to vote democratically on issues which impact on the whole school, such as making decisions about changing class names and the school badge or electing class representatives.

· Pupils are consulted by subject leaders to support the evaluation of teaching and learning in individual subject areas. Children discuss their opinions on learning and contribute to the development of our wider curriculum.

· Suggestion boxes in school where children can contribute their ideas and opinions, such as the Punctuality & Attendance suggestion box.

· Opportunities to contribute to Prayer spaces and Reflection Areas in school.

In addition, pupil questionnaires are completed annually and children’s opinions are collected regularly via surveys on a range of issues and topics, such as engagement with sports.

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern individual classes, our school, or the country, are reinforced in school.

Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws and that they govern and protect us. Children learn about the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.

This has been supported by close working partnerships with the local Police Community Support Officer who has engaged with the school on a regular basis to promote key messages.

Individual Liberty

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make their own choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. At Hoole Church of England Primary, we educate and provide boundaries for pupils to make positive choices showing respect for their own safety and that of other individuals. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights. We educate children on how to exercise these rights safely and respectfully.

Mutual Respect

At Hoole Church of England Primary, pupils are encouraged to be resilient, proud and to show respect for themselves, their school, their community and other children in their school family. The school vision and ethos promote respect for self and for others and this is reiterated by our behaviour policy.

Children are encouraged to hold positions of responsibility and make a positive contribution to their school community, showing respect and tolerance for all. Children support the school in roles such as buddies for younger children, Playground Leaders, Junior Safety Officers, Sports Ambassadors and as members of pupil forums in school.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Our school population is diverse and we celebrate this at every opportunity In line with our school values and ethos, tolerance of different faiths and beliefs is achieved through developing pupil understanding of their place and responsibilities in a culturally diverse society.

Pupils learn to respect other faiths and religions through Religious Education. Children also learn about other cultures through areas of the curriculum, including History and Geography. The school’s strong links with other local faith organisations enables us to enrich and illuminate children’s learning so that they are able to respect and identify similarities and differences between their own experience and the faiths and cultures of others.

Learning in Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) lessons encourages children to develop a sense of themselves and their community. Children are supported to develop a tolerant and responsible attitude towards the backgrounds and origins of others, celebrating diversity and demonstrating the capacity to build productive and positive relationships.

Collective worship encompasses a wide variety of themes linked to the school’s Christian foundation and our school values. Pupils are introduced to characters and people who embody the themes we seek to promote as a way of supporting them to build the strength of character required to manage the transition to the next phase of their education and to navigate the world around us.

Associated Documents

This statement should be read in conjunction with a variety of school documents including:

· Behaviour Policy

· Prevent Policy

· Anti-bullying Policy

· PSHE & RSE Policy

· Safeguarding Policy

· Equality Information and Objectives

· Pupil Equality, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Policy

· Online Safety Policy