In support of the Department for Education (DofE) document: Promoting fundamental British Values as part of Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural Development (SMSC) in schools – Departmental advice for maintained schools and Academies, November 2014.
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”.
Our school reflects British values in all that we do. We nurture our pupils on their journey through life so they grow in to caring, responsible and tolerant adults who make a positive difference to British society and to the wider world. We encourage them to be creative, unique, open-minded and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and others in our school, our local community and beyond.
Embracing British Values at Abbey School
At Abbey, we actively promote British values in the following ways:
Democracy
At the beginning of each year all of the children contribute to the drawing up of a class charter. Pupils have many opportunities for their voice to be heard. They are encouraged to debate topics of interest, express their views and make a meaningful contribution to the running of the school. They are able to do this in a number of ways e.g. school council, questionnaires and surveys, assemblies and suggestion boxes.
Rule of Law
The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies.
We have a clear positive behaviour policy which helps pupils to make good choices about their behaviour. The pupils were consulted when the behaviour policy was reviewed and their opinions about effective rewards and sanctions are reflected in the policy. Pupils are helped to distinguish right from wrong, in the classroom, during assemblies and in the playground. Pupils are encouraged to respect the law and Abbey enjoys visits from services such as the Police, Fire and Ambulance services to help reinforce the message.
Individual Liberty
At school, pupils are encouraged, and given the freedom to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment, e.g. challenging themselves in their learning. They are supported to develop self-knowledge, self-confidence and a growth mind set in all areas of school life. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-safety and PSHE lessons and assemblies. Pupils re given the freedom to make choices of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities.
Mutual Respect
Respect is at the heart of our values. Pupils understand that respect is shown to everyone, both adults and children. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect. The children know and understand that it is expected and imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have.
Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs
Abbey is a school that is becoming more culturally diverse and we therefore place a great emphasis on promoting diversity. Assemblies often address this issue either directly or through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures.
Pupils visit a variety of places of worship and people from different faiths are invited to school to share their experiences in assemblies and in class. Through the PSHE and RE curriculum, pupils are encouraged to discuss and respect differences and similarities between people. Staff and pupils are encouraged to challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour.
We help them to develop an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures. Staff and pupils are encouraged to challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour. Pupils visit a variety of places of worship and people from different faiths are invited to school to share their experiences in assemblies and in class. Through the PSHE and RE curriculum pupils are encouraged to discuss and respect differences and similarities between people.