British Values
The government set out their definition of the British values in the 2011 Prevent strategy, and they were reinforced in 2014.
The British values are:
- Democracy
- Rule of Law
- Individual Liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.
At Ashton Vale Primary School, these values are reflected within our school mission and we reinforce them through the life of our school.
We promote the British values across the whole school. Our assemblies reinforce these values, as does our broad curriculum. The British values are taught throughout the curriculum.
Value: Democracy How do we promote it?
- We encourage children to have a say in what happens in our school and in their local area. We have a School Council which has representatives from each class who meet regularly to discuss ways to make improvements and changes within our school.
- Each year the children decide upon their class charter and all the children contribute to the drawing up of the charter.
- We have systems of class monitors that are chosen.
- We encourage children to decide which charities we would like to raise money for each year. COTs (contribution to society) encourages children to understand how to be contributing citizens and decide on their preferred charity as a class.
- Democracy is also promoted through PSHE lessons and assemblies where children are taught to respect their rights and the rights of others.
- We welcome a range of external visitors throughout the year including local councillors.
Links to the school values:
Links to the PSHE curriculum: Being me in my world, celebrating difference
Value: Rule of Law How do we promote it?
- Children at Ashton Vale know what is expected of them, why rules are so important, and what the consequences are if they do not follow them. They learn about the importance of different rules whether they be laws of the classroom, home, local or global societies.
- Each year, the class begins Term 1 by discussing class and school rules and the reasons for having and keeping them. An E-Safety agreement is also revisited and reinforced.
- Positive reward systems are in place to celebrate achievement in each class. There are well defined sanctions within each class.
- Our PSHE curriculum and assemblies teach children about trust, respect and honesty. We encourage children to develop a strong sense of morality; knowing right from wrong and doing the right thing even when it’s difficult.
- We ensure children understand laws are made in parliament and explore how these laws are made.
- We plan visits from authorities such as the Police, Fire Service etc. regularly to help reinforce The Rule of Law.
- Internet Safety week carries an annual theme where the rules and safety procedures taught within the IT curriculum are reinforced and consolidated.
Links to the school values:
Links to the PSHE curriculum: Being me in my world, Healthy me, Relationships
Value: Individual Liberty How do we promote it?
- We teach children to value and appreciate their individual liberty within the UK and understand this is not true for all other countries across the world.
- We encourage children to make choices at different points in the school day within a safe and supportive environment. Children make lunch option and activity choices. They have the choice of challenge in some lessons and how they record their work.
- Allowing children to understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms safely e.g. during annual whole school Safety, on line safety and anti-bullying weeks, RE lessons and PSHE lessons.
- We teach children to respect the rights of others and things through the values of empathy and tolerance, as well as understanding and knowledge.
- In Term 2, during Black History Month, children learn about the past and the importance of freedom, the right to equality and free choice.
Links to the school values:
Links to the PSHE curriculum: Being me in my world, Relationships
Value: Mutual Respect How do we promote it?
- Being ‘Responsible citizens’ is part of our school mission HEART Children learn to be respectful and polite to others.
- We have high expectations of how children behave which is reflected in our behaviour policy.
- Children learn that their behaviour has an impact on their rights and those of others.
- We promote opportunities for children to work together with others in a class, team, group or older buddy.
- We warmly welcome all visitors and newly arrived children and their families.
- All members of the school community treat each other with respect.
Links to the school values:
Links to the PSHE curriculum: Being me in my world, Celebrating Difference, Dreams and Goals, Relationships.
Value: Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. How do we promote it?
- Ashton Vale is situated in an area which is not greatly culturally diverse. Therefore we place a great emphasis on promoting diversity with the children. Assemblies are regularly planned to promote this British value through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures.
- Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. We welcome parents from different cultures and faiths to share their knowledge and experience with us in class, assemblies and special events.
- Our teaching of Religious Education where children learn about different religions, their beliefs, places of worship and festivals.
- Children learn about different societies and cultures through geography and history topics.
- Assemblies mark and celebrate significant religious festivals and current affairs.
- We organise international days and other special days where children learn about other cultures.
Links to the school values:
Links to the PSHE curriculum: Celebrating Difference, Relationships.
