Gledhow Primary School

Promoting British Values at Gledhow Primary School

In accordance with the Department for Education we aim to actively promote British values in school to ensure that young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. The promotion of British values is not something new to our curriculum at Gledhow Primary School. Such values are at the core of all we do whether it be through our assemblies, our RE curriculum, our personal, social, and health lessons or through other areas of the curriculum.

The term British values can be somewhat misleading as these values are integral to so many countries across the world. Pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ all people living in England are subject to its law.

The key values are

• Democracy
• Rule of Law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect and tolerance

DEMOCRACY

Each year the children decide upon their class rules and the rights associated with these. All the children contribute to the drawing up of the class rules.

At the beginning of every school year children from year 3 -6 are invited to apply for the role of school councillor. Key Stage 2 children are encouraged to write a speech and manifesto to present to the class. Each class then holds a secret ballot, the children then respect the majority decision.

The school council which meets at fortnightly. All the children are involved in the meetings which are led by the chairperson, vice chairs and secretaries (from different year groups). Elected members of year six are responsible for recording outcomes of the meetings and discussing the outcomes with the member of staff responsible for school council and the Head teacher. The school council have been involved in gathering opinion about school issues such as charities to support and playtimes. School council leaders have been taught to implement a ‘majority rule’ when voting on particular issues.

In class, we work together and listen to each other’s views and ideas. If we can not come to a unanimous decision, we will vote and decide which ideas we prefer to ensure the decision is fair.

In addition, democracy is covered in year 4 as part of the Identity topic within the You, Me PSHE scheme.

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RULE OF LAW

The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school, or the country, is consistently reinforced at Gledhow Primary. Pupils are taught from an early age the rules of the school and the values and reasons behind rules and laws; that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Furthermore, they are also taught about the importance of laws, how laws are made and the different laws that keep us safe. This is covered through the Identity, Society and Equality topic within the You, Me PSHE scheme.

Visits from authorities such as the Police, Fire Service and Lifeguards help reinforce this message. Expectations are reinforced regularly and opportunities are sought frequently to praise positive choices. Pupils modelling behaviour consistent with the school’s high expectation are regularly recognised and used as role models to others. Opportunities are provided regularly for children and staff to participate or spectate in sporting activities which represent good examples of fairness, rules and etiquette in sport for example school sports day and PE lessons. Extra-curricular clubs (such as football and gymnastics) emphasise why rules and boundaries are necessary to ensure safety

In class we listen carefully to rules and behaviour expected by the class teacher and other adults in the school.

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LIBERTY

At Gledhow Primary, 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 informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. Pupils are given the freedom to make choices and become critical thinkers through evaluating, reflecting and collecting valid and reliable evidence to make good decisions, for example: whether it is through choice of challenge; how they record their learning using key skills to present information and communicate ideas; or by choosing to participate in our  extracurricular clubs and opportunities.

Safeguarding our pupils and staff is paramount and PSHE/e-Safety lessons aim to equip pupils with the skills to make safe choices. All classes in school are taught about how to keep safe outdoors, indoors and online through the keeping safe and managing risks topic within the You, Me PSHE scheme. This topic covers internet safety, fire safety, road safety, bullying, anti-social behaviour, peer pressure, how to keep safe when things go wrong and more. All content is age appropriate.                                                                                                  All classes have ground rules, which are a very important part of the PSHE lessons. This is a class agreement, with a set of rules that are kept to consistently and revisited throughout the lesson. This is one of the main ways to ensure there is a safe teaching and learning environment.

In addition, every class has an ‘Ask it basket.’ This allows children the freedom to ask any questions they may not feel comfortable asking in front of the class by simply writing it on a piece of paper and putting it into the basket. The teacher will respond to the questions in the next lesson or speak to the child about it. However, any personal questions will not be answered.

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MUTUAL RESPECT AND TOLERANCE

Our partnership with Summerfield Primary School in Durban, South Africa, offers wonderful opportunities for the children to recognise their responsibilities as citizens of the world and develop their mutual respect, tolerance and understanding of one another. 

Partnership activities develop the children’s empathy for others through celebrating cultural variety and richness and help to challenge and dispel misleading and negative stereotypes.

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.

Dojo’s, stickers and certificates are given for positive attitudes and behaviours. High levels of mutual respect are demonstrated daily in the excellent relationships between staff and pupils.

Gledhow Primary is a diverse school. We actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures. Religious Education lessons and PSHE lessons reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others. Members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. The children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths. Members of different faiths and religions within our school family are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance.

In class, we listen to a range of stories about different faiths and culture. Throughout all areas of the curriculum, children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others.

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