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:
• Democracy
• Rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect
• Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
These values are taught explicitly through Personal, Social, Health and Emotional (PSHE), and Religious Education (RE). We also teach British Values through planning and delivering a broad and balanced curriculum. The school takes opportunities to actively promote British Values through collective worship and whole school systems and structures such as electing and running a successful School Council. We also actively promote British Values through ensuring that our curriculum planning and delivery includes real opportunities for exploring these values.
Democracy:
This is an important value at our school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council. Members of the council are elected based on the number of votes given. Members of the school council have the opportunity to influence decisions in school, including the employment of staff members. We feel it is important for children to have their say, but also understand that the final outcome might not be what they would like.
The Rule of Law:
The importance of laws and rules, whether they are 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. Our system for behaviour is aligned to an agreed set of rules and if children are given verbal warnings this is always set against the agreed school behaviour policy. Children are asked to reflect on the rule they have broken to ensure that this connection is made and understood.
Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Working closely with our local Police Community Support Officers helps reinforce this message.
We are committed to praising children’s efforts. We endeavour to praise the children informally, individually, during group work, in front of the whole class and the whole school. Children are rewarded not only for achievement in curriculum areas, but also for behaviour and kindness to others. Rewards are given in the form of team points and certificates and a trophy for our star of the week which are all recognised during our celebration assembly on a Monday morning.
Individual Liberty:
Pupils are actively encouraged to make choices at our school, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we provide boundaries for our children to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and planned curriculum. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-Safety teaching and PHSE education. Pupils are given the freedom to make choices, but also given the opportunity to reflect on these choices if they feel they made the wrong decision.
Mutual Respect: Kirkby Thore School is at the heart of our community, therefore we often have opportunities to teach and reinforce the importance of mutual respect. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. In PE, we teach the value of sportsmanship and the underlying value of mutual respect within this. Children are reminded to show mutual respect towards other players at all times.
Tolerance of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs: This is achieved through enhancing pupils’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity in our local community which is by large white British. This is supported by messages in assemblies and by learning in RE and PSHE.