British Values
Promoting British Values at St Michael’s CEP School
The DfE have reinforced 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 five British Values are:
- Democracy
- The Rule of Law
- Individual Liberty
- Mutual Respect
- Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
As a Church of England primary school, these values are both integral and reinforced regularly in the following ways:
Democracy
Children, parents and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard at St Michael’s CEP School. Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions heard. Each year the children decide upon their class rules and the rights and responsibilities associated with these. All the children contribute to the drawing up of the class rules. We have a School Council with representatives from Year 2 to Year 6 which meets regularly with Mrs Abbott and Miss Barnes to discuss issues raised in School Council meetings. For example, our School Council is currently leading on a project to provide further outdoor creative, imaginative and physical development areas for children to access during breaks and lunchtimes. They have met with a group of Trustees related to a grant application and have put forward the case from the school – in a very convincing way! Every child on the School Council is voted in by their class members. Children have a questionnaire where they are able to put forward their views about the school.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at St Michael’s CEP School. Pupils are taught the rules of the school from an early age. These include our Class rules and Playground Rules. At the start of each school year, each class discusses and sets its own agreed rules and how this is the structure which keeps them safe, happy and learning within the school. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibility that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Regular visits from the authorities such as the Police and Fire Service reinforce this message. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms. Pupils in Year 6 who are particularly good role models and highlight the ethos of the school in their actions, apply to be appointed as Head Boy and Head Girl or other positions of pupil responsibility. Each year our Head Boy and Head Girl are appointed to recognise that they have excellent behaviour and make huge contributions to the school in a broad variety of ways.
Individual Liberty
All children at St Michael’s CEP School are encouraged to be independent learners and are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. They are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety, PSHE lessons and through speaking and listening activities such as debates. E-safety teaching enables them to make choices in a safe manner. All children are keen to support local, national and global charities and do so each term. They are taught consideration for others though our Religious Education curriculum, PSHE lessons and Collective Worship.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
Mutual respect is at the heart of the schools aims and ethos. Respect ensures tolerance of those who have different faiths and beliefs. St Michael’s CEP School is an inclusive, diverse, multi-cultural school which embraces and celebrates different faiths and beliefs through religious education studies, assemblies and PSHE lessons. We actively promote and respect diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures. The pupils know and understand that they are expected to show respect to everyone and are taught to respect the school environment and the environment around them. The pupils clearly understand that discriminatory language is not acceptable and will be challenged. This is also underpinned by our school behaviour policy, our class and school rules and our home school agreement. Adults in school are positive role-models and demonstrate the core values of our school community at all times. Members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. The children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths. We acknowledge world events which are contrary to British values.
