Promoting British Values at Haddenham Community Junior School
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 government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy and these values were reiterated by the Prime Minister in 2014. At HCJS these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy
Democracy is embedded at the school. Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. Pupils also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas through our School Council and regular questionnaires. The elections of the School Council members and House Captains are based solely on pupil votes, reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced. Our school has ‘Golden Rules’. Our pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.
All staff, children, governors and parents recognise that we have the right to learn in an orderly community in which effective learning can take place. As part of our commitment to this right, we have reviewed and simplified our school rules to enable all our children to embrace them. Our three ‘Golden rules’ are: “Be READY, be RESPECTFUL & be SAFE”. We believe our pupils can use these simple words to help them in school and to understand what excellent behaviour may look like when they are ready, respectful and safe. These rules are embedded in our work every day and are clearly understood by all.
Individual Liberty
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an empowering education. Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely; examples of this can be clearly seen in our e-safety and P.S.H.E. lessons. Whether it is through choice of challenge; of how they record; of participation in our numerous extra- curricular activities; our pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual Respect:
Respect is one of our core values. Pupils at HCJS, learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All stakeholders treat each other with respect. Our school’s ethos and values, (including our VbE work), approach to the curriculum and Behaviour and Relationships policy all encourage and encompass respect.
Tolerance of Those With Different Faiths And Beliefs
We actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures. Religious education lessons and PSHE lessons reinforce messages of respect and tolerance for others. Members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within school.
Our curriculum
We ensure that the fundamental British Values are introduced, discussed and lived out through the ethos and work of the school. Our cross curricular approach provides a vehicle for furthering understanding of these concepts and also to deepen and develop the wider spiritual, moral, social and cultural education of our children.
