The Department for Education expects all schools, ‘to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation 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 and those without faith.’
The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent strategy and these values have been reiterated in 2014 to work hand in hand with the National Curriculum.
As directed under this guidance, we at Hunloke Park Primary School (HPPS) take opportunities to actively promote British Values. To actively promote also means challenging pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.
At HPPS, our PRIDE values and ethos thread through all areas of school life. This creates a climate within which pupils feel safe and secure and facilitates the fulfilment of everyone’s potential. Pupil voice plays an integral part in driving the school forward.
Democracy
Democracy is a strong theme running through the entire curriculum, for example in history, the children explore the theme of democracy and how societies develop democratic systems. The concept of democracy is further made concrete with a trip to our seat of democracy, The Houses of Parliament, during the year 6 residential trip to London. Each year, every class in school uses a democratic system to vote in a class representative on the school council. The school council is very active at HPPS and creates a mission statement and a comprehensive action plan which supports the steps to achieve their mission statement. Throughout the school debates are built into all subjects and the children progressively learn the skills to put forward a reasoned argument. We encourage students to show an interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues, and appreciate the viewpoints of others.
Rule of Law
We ensure that the children know the difference between right and wrong and understand that actions have consequences and the importance of respecting the rule of law. Each year, the children in every class discuss their own rights and responsibilities to ensure HPPS is a happy, safe place to learn. Both the staff and pupils create and sign the classroom charter which is used throughout the year to ensure all are responsible for the learning environment. The understanding of rights, responsibilities and the rule of law are particularly promoted through our Life Skills curriculum. The rule of law, for developing a safe and happy society, is reinforced throughout the curriculum with visitors such as the police and members of the democratic system. We hold a weekly special mentions assembly to reward the children’s achievements and use Dojo to reward individual good deeds or work. This way parents are automatically informed when their child has been rewarded.
Individual Liberty
At HPPS the children have the freedom to make their own choices within reason. This is interpreted in our curriculum as making the right choices regarding conduct in school and the wider community. The children are able to choose from a wide range of clubs and after school activities which enable them to pursue their ambitions, and follow their own volition. We provide opportunities for children to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and increase their confidence in their own abilities, for example, through allowing children to take risks on our obstacle course; talking about their experiences ; learning in a collaborative environment and volunteering opportunities such as mini sports leaders or mental health ambassadors.
Throughout our curriculum opportunities are planned to encourage a range of experiences that allow our children to explore the language of feelings and responsibility, reflect on their differences and understand everyone is free to have different opinions.
Mutual Respect
Mutual respect is a central value at HPPS and runs through all we do. This is reflected in our PRIDE values and whole school ethos. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community are expected to treat each other with respect. Diversity is a curriculum driver at HPPS and we encourage and explain to children about the importance of tolerant behaviours, such as sharing and respecting each other’s opinions.
We promote diverse attitudes and challenge stereotypes, for example, by sharing stories that reflect and value the diversity of children’s experiences. We also provide resources and activities that challenge gender, cultural and racial stereotyping. At HPPS we create an ethos of inclusivity and tolerance where views, faiths, cultures and races are valued. This is evidenced through both the Life Skills curriculum and our religious education curriculum. We ensure that our children engage with the wider community by using our local area to teach many aspects of our curriculum and inviting local speakers and experts into school to share their experiences. We are also actively involved in local community events such as the Wingerworth Summer Fair and the Remembrance service. We encourage children to acquire a tolerance, appreciation and respect for their own and other cultures by discussing the similarities and differences between themselves and others; and among families, faiths, communities, cultures and traditions. Our Positive behaviour policy, which relies on restorative justice practices, also encourages and facilitates tolerance and mutual respect.
Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and those without faith
We actively promote opportunities to celebrate different faiths and cultures. We provide opportunities for students to be reflective about their own beliefs and perspectives on life, and the extent to which they are the same as and different to others’ faith, feelings and values. At HPPS, we follow the Derbyshire and Derby City agreed syllabus for religious education which involves understanding the beliefs and values of a variety of different religious and non-religious beliefs. We invite visitors from other faiths to speak in school and in year 3 the children visit Derby Open Centre to enable them to experience a variety of different places of worship.
