BritishValues

Promoting British Values 

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 Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated in 2014.                                                                                          

At SJS, these values are planned, delivered and reinforced regularly through a broad and balanced curriculum including within RHE and RE but also through the ethos of the school in the following ways:

Democracy

At SJS, Children, parents/carers and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard: Democracy is central to how we operate.

Children are involved in democratic processes, e.g. at the start of each academic year, two children from each class are voted to represent their class on the Pupil Leadership. The Pupil Leadership meets bi-termly ensuring children are able to express their views.

The school values pupil voice and we ask the pupils about their learning, their concerns and for their ideas about how we can make things better for them. We do this by using pupil questionnaires and small group sessions.

Parents are able to voice their ideas and opinions throughout the year via Parental Surveys, Parents Evening Reviews and Parental Feedback comment sheets during Learning in Partnership Together events. 

The Rule of Law

At SJS, we discuss the importance of rules and laws at a variety of levels including those that govern our school right up to those that govern our country. These laws are referred to and reinforced regularly such as in Celebration of the Words and when reflecting on behaviour choices. 

Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws (to govern and protect us), the responsibilities that this involves, and the consequences when laws are broken.

These values are reinforced in different ways:

• During RHE lessons when we use a range resources to promote moral, spiritual, social and cultural awareness among our pupils.

• Visits from authorities such as the police and fire service

• During other school subjects, where there is respect and appreciation for different rules – in a sports lesson, for example.

At the start of the school year, each class discusses and set their own class rules that are chosen, discussed and understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment.

 Individual Liberty

Alongside rules and laws, at SJS we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Through the provision of a safe, supportive environment and empowering education, we provide boundaries for our young pupils to make choices safely.  

For example:

• Choices around the participation in extra-curricular activities
• Choices and right outside of the school gates
• Choices about what learning challenge or activity
• Choices about how they record their learning

Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and informed how to exercise these safely, for example through our Online Safety and RHE lessons.

Mutual Respect and Tolerance

At SJS, adults actively model respect with one another, and with the children, in how we speak and treat one another. Children learn that their behaviour choices have an effect on their own rights and those of others. Our Behaviour Policy encompasses respecting others.

At SJS, we celebrate our culturally diversity. We also ensure that children are aware of different cultures and beliefs that they might not be exposed to within the local area. Through our R.E curriculum, we promote an awareness of different faiths and we encourage our pupils to recognise and understand these faiths.

Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes.

We use Celebration of the Word, workshops and themed weeks, i.e. Anti-Bullying Week to raise and discuss issues of bullying and prejudice and reinforce learning during curriculum time.