BRITISH VALUES
INTRODUCTION
The Department for Education (DfE) expects all schools to promote the fundamental British values which have been identified as being:
- democracy;
- the rule of law;
- individual liberty;
- mutual respect; and
- tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
Actively promoting British values means challenging children, staff or parent(s)/carer(s) expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British values, including extremist views.
At Clavering, we aim to weave the thread of British values throughout day to day school life and within the Clavering Curriculum (particularly in history, RE and PSHEE). We believe that our curriculum is broad and balanced, promoting British values and preparing pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life.
The Clavering Curriculum includes not only the formal requirements of the National Curriculum, but also the range of additional opportunities that the school organises in order to enrich the experience of our children.
The Clavering Curriculum also includes the ‘hidden curriculum’, or what our children learn from the way they are treated and expected to behave. We aim to teach our children how to grow into positive, responsible British citizens, who can work and co-operate with others while developing the knowledge, understanding and skills required to achieve their true potential.
DEMOCRACY
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. The elections of the School Council members, Fairtrade Steering Group and Eco Club are based solely on pupil votes, reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action. Children also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas and have their voices heard through our School Council which meets regularly to discuss any issues raised by children in school. The School Council also meets regularly with representatives from the cluster primaries to debate and discuss local issues.
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. Children learn to understand the difference between right and wrong in all aspects of school life and they are aware of the consequences of not following the rules in their school community. Children 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. To encourage and promote good behaviour, attitude and work, we have the ‘Clavering Code of Conduct’ which is consistently followed throughout the school. As a school, we are committed to praising children’s efforts. We endeavour to praise the children informally, individually, during group work, in front of the whole class and the whole school, and in half-termly newsletters.
INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY
At Clavering, our children 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 children to make informed choices through a safe environment (with a strong anti-bullying culture) and an empowering education. Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example, through our teaching of E-Safety in Computing and Sex and Relationships Education in PSHEE lessons. Children are encouraged to give their opinions and share these ideas with due regard for the feelings of others. As part of our PSHEE curriculum, we place emphasis on the social and emotional learning of our children and believe that we send them off to secondary school as well rounded individuals.
MUTUAL RESPECT
Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviour has an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect. Assemblies and aspects of the Clavering Curriculum (including extra-curricular opportunities) promote personal qualities and values for life and are central to how we expect everyone to conduct themselves at our school. Children and adults alike, including visitors, are challenged if they are disrespectful in any way.
TOLERANCE OF THOSE OF DIFFERENT FAITHS AND BELIEFS
At Clavering, we are passionately committed to preparing our children for life in a global society and work in a global economy with our children having appropriate levels of tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs. Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs is achieved through enhancing pupils 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 are enhanced and supported by learning in RE, history, geography and PSHEE. Members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school and we visit places of worship, including local churches, Durham Cathedral and the Nasir Mosque. Throughout school life, our children are encouraged to discuss differences between people such as their faith, ethnicity, disability or gender.
AND FINALLY...
We take great pride in celebrating the role of Britain both historically and in the present. We want our pupils to have knowledge and understanding of and be proud of their British heritage and the cultural and historical traditions that we are renowned for the world over. This involves celebrating Royal events, Remembrance Day and festivals such as Harvest, Christmas and Easter. We commemorate historically significant events, such as the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
