In line with DfE guidance, we actively promote 'British Values' at South Gosforth First School.
'British Values' are:
- Democracy
- The Rule of Law
- Mutual Respect
- Individual Liberty
- Embracing Different Cultures & Religions
We take every opportunity to share and discuss these values, alongside our own school 'Core Values' both within our curriculum, our 'Together Time' and as part of our assemblies, where we relate particular acts or achievements to specific values.
As part of our every day provision in school, we see 'British Values' being 'lived' through:
• Enabling pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence
• Enabling students to distinguish right from wrong and to respect laws
• Encouraging students to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and to society more widely
• Enabling students to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England
• Furthering harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling students to acquire an appreciation for and respect for their own and other cultures
• Encouraging respect for other people, no matter how different they are
• Encouraging our pupils to understand and respect democracy
It is important to make clear that we do not see these values as being solely 'British'. In our view, 'British Values' can also be referred to as 'Universal Values', 'Human Values' or 'Human Rights'. The concept of 'British Values' has often been misinterpreted to mean promoting ‘Britishness’ - What we really want to see in our school is a culture where children and young people have a voice, respect and understand the law, explore their own personal, social and cultural identity and celebrate, respect and value the identities of others. We believe that adopting a values based education approach contributes to the personal and social development of our children.
Some of the ways in which we promote 'British Values' in school include:
Democracy
- We let our children know that their views count and encourage everyone to value each other’s opinions and values. We help to demonstrate democracy in action, for example, by letting children share views on what activity should come next with a show of hands
- We provide activities that involve turn-taking, sharing and collaboration
- We give children opportunities to develop enquiring minds by creating an atmosphere where all questions and ideas are valued
- Our School Council
Rule of Law
- We ensure that our children understand their own and others’ behaviour and its consequences, helping them to distinguish right from wrong (see our 'Restorative Approach to Positive Behaviour' Policy)
- We work with children to create the rules, codes and consequences of behaviour, such as agreeing the rules about tidying up, and also ensure that our children understand that the rules apply to everyone
Individual Liberty
- We provide opportunities for children to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and increase their confidence in their own abilities, for example, through allowing children to 'take risks' and make mistakes in a lesson and talk about their experiences and learning
- We encourage a range of experiences that allow children to explore the language of feelings and responsibility, enable them to reflect on their differences and understand everyone is free to have different opinions
Mutual Respect and Embracing Different Cultures & Religions
- We encourage and explain to our children about the importance of kind, respectful behaviours, such as sharing and respecting each other’s opinions
- We promote diverse attitudes and challenge stereotypes, for example, by sharing stories that reflect and value the diversity of children’s experiences
- We provide resources and activities that challenge gender, cultural and racial stereotyping
- We create an ethos of inclusivity, where views, faiths, cultures and races are valued
- We arrange visits and visitors whereby children can engage with the wider community
- We encourage children to acquire an appreciation and respect for their own and other cultures by discussing with children the similarities and differences between themselves and others; and among families, faiths, communities, cultures and traditions
- We share and discuss practices, celebrations and experiences
