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.

At Norwood these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy

Democracy is rife within the school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our Year 6 Captains, who are in are linked with each class and lead meetings regularly to canvass opinions. Annual Pupil surveys take place, which are then analysed and acted upon by the Year 6 Captains. 

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 regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. 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. Visits from authorities such as the Police; Fire Service; Lifeguards etc. are regular parts of our calendar and 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 young pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and empowering education.  Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it be through choice of challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect

Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around Core Values such as ‘Respect’, and pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. Posters around the school promote respect for others and their families and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our behaviour policy.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

This is achieved through enhancing pupil’s understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have followed and are supported by learning in RE and PSHE.  Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.

By the end of a pupil’s time in Norwood, we want our children in British Values to:

• Have a deep understanding of democracy, Rule of Law, respect, tolerance and individual liberty. 
• They will have knowledge of the fundamental British Values that underpin what it is to be a citizen in a modern and diverse Great Britain, valuing our community and celebrating the diversity of the UK.