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Promoting British Values at St Mary's

The Department for Education has recently 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 by the Prime Minister this year. 

St Mary’s CE (Aided) Primary School is committed to serving the community of Pulborough and surrounding areas. It recognizes the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom, and therefore those it serves. It also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.

The school, as a Church School, accepts admissions from all those entitled to an education under British law, including pupils of all faiths or none. It follows the policies outlined by its governing body regarding equal opportunities, which guarantee that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. It seeks to serve all in the community.

The Government emphasizes that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools. These values are:-

Democracy:

  •          School Council (from YR to Y6)
  •          Eco Council (From YR to Y6)
  •          Pupil questionnaires
  •          Elections of officers and prefects
  •          Class opportunities to vote
  •          Debating issues (verbally with our oracy project and in writing)

 

The Rule of Law:  The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout the school day, as well as in:

  •          School assemblies/worship
  •          Dealing with behaviour
  •          School Rules - Rewards and Consequences
  •          Class charters in all classrooms
  •          Police Liaison Officer
  •          Romans – Curriculum Y3
  •          Bikeability and rules of the road.

 

Respect and Tolerance

  •          RE curriculum covers - Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Sikhism and Hinduism
  •          Values vine
  •          Behaviour Policy
  •          Just Different (Biannually)
  •          Spanish Culture through MFL
  •          Visitors to school – e.g. Lizzie Williams Paralympian,
  •          Just Enough UK on Inclusion of all
  •          Visits to other places of worship
  •          RHE curriculum

 

Liberty

  •          Freedom of speech
  •          E-Safety/RHE curriculum
  •          Assemblies - exploring key historical figures
  •          Use of good texts in English that addresses these themes

 

Cultural Traditions

  •          English Curriculum
  •          Curriculum diversity with texts and new themes
  •          Class names linked to countries
  •          Spanish Curriculum
  •          Celebrating events in the British Calendar, eg Remembrance Day, Christmas

 

By the time children leave St Mary's CofE (Aided) Primary School, they should have:

• an understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process;

• an appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens and is essential for their well-being and safety;

• an understanding that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law;

• an acceptance that other people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour; 

• an understanding of the importance of identifying and combating discrimination.