Promoting British Values
The Department for Education state there is a 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.” At Dean Bank Primary and Nursery School we are committed to these values and regularly reinforce them in the following ways:
Democracy
Democracy is embedded at the school. Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. Pupils also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas through our Pupil Voice, class discussions and questionnaires. The elections of the School Council members, Team Captains and Vice Captains, Head Boy and Head Girl are based solely on pupil votes, reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced through out the school day as well as when addressing behaviour and school and class assemblies. Each class also discusses the school rules so that they are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment. Our pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws. They understand that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws or rules are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an empowering education. Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely; examples of this can be clearly seen in our e-safety and P.S.H.C.E. lessons. Whether it is through choice of challenge; of how they record; of participation in our extra- curricular activities; our pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual Respect
Respect is one of the core values of our school reflected in our ethos and school behaviour policy. The pupils know and understand that it is expected and imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have. The core value of Respect at Dean Bank Primary and Nursery School underpins our work every day both in and out of the classroom. Our school is committed to developing respect for other cultures. We believe that this respect is fostered through our curriculum, as well as developing intercultural understanding through the vehicle of Primary Languages.
Tolerance of Those With Different Faiths And Beliefs
Our core value of Respect ensures tolerance of those who have different faiths and beliefs. Dean Bank Primary and Nursery School enhances pupils’ understanding of different faiths and beliefs through religious education, P.S.H.E. work and visits to other places and from visitors who support pupil’s understanding of cultural differences and deepen understanding of different celebrations and beliefs. Assemblies and creative curriculum opportunities based on prejudices and prejudice based bullying have been followed and supported by learning opportunities in other curriculum areas.