Promoting Fundamental British Values.
In accordance with The Department for Education we aim to actively promote British values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. Pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while different people may hold different views about what is "right" and "wrong", all people living in England are subject to its law.
The Key Values are:
South Petherton C of E Infant School
British Values Statement
At South Petherton C of E Infant School, we actively promote British Values. We recognise the diversity within our society and ensure that British Values are embedded within our curriculum. The teaching of British Values is integrated through the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) learning that takes place across all curriculum areas.
We promote British Values in the following ways:
Democracy
• Our School Council promotes the democratic process - pupils nominate and vote for their representatives within the School Council
• Our marking policy encourages feedback enabling pupils to respond to and influence the learning process
• Children create and adhere to class rules
• Pupils and parents are surveyed regularly and the results of those surveys inform aspects of the School Development Plan
• Children are encouraged to voice their opinions in formal and informal ways (suggestion boxes, questionnaires)
Individual Liberty
• Children are provided with boundaries which encourage them to make choices safely
• Pupils are encouraged to respectfully express their views and beliefs
• Pupils have key roles and responsibilities within school, such as, School Council etc.
• Pupils have the opportunity and are encouraged to take part in a broad range of extra-curricular activities
• Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example, through our PHSE and On-Line Safety lessons.
• Pupils know who to speak to if they are worried or concerned about themselves or others, e.g. Safeguarding Lead and Deputy Lead, Teachers and Teaching Assistants or our onsite full time qualified ELSA.
Respect of those of different faith and beliefs
• We learn about different religious festivals throughout the year through enrichment activities and focused weeks
• Our RE and PSHE curriculum provides children with a broad and balanced understanding of world religions and promotes respect for the beliefs of others
• We provide resources to ensure that all pupils are effectively integrated into the teaching and learning process and the wider school community, including those that join at different starting points and those who have English as an additional language
Mutual Respect
• Pupils work in teams, share ideas in public and show respect for other pupils’ opinions during class discussions, assemblies and concerts
• School rules reinforce mutual respect
• All members of the school community treat each other with respect and model this in behaviour with colleagues and pupils
• Pupils work together in different groupings and situations in different lessons and subjects
• All pupils participate in live productions and assemblies throughout the school year
The Rule of Law
• We have clear rules and expectations of behaviour and a Whistle Blowing policy which is adhered to by all pupils, staff and other stakeholders
• Each class has a class code of conduct created by the pupils at the start of each academic year
• Teaching includes online-safety, road safety, stranger danger and caring for the environment
• Attendance and punctuality is good and all stakeholders are aware of the importance of being at school
• Pupils follow respect and understand the need for different rules in different situations, i.e. PE lessons, school visits, classrooms and the playground
• Pupils are awarded weekly certificates in recognition of their learning behaviours
• Visits from emergency services and MPs/councillors, reinforces the rule of law and the reasoning/purpose behind them
• The school supports pupils in regulating their own behaviour to make choices for the well-being of themselves and others