British Values
Democracy
Rule of Law
Individual Liberty
Mutual Respect Tolerance of Different Faiths
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 Prevent duty guidance, and these values were reiterated by the Government in 2014. At Woodland View Junior School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy
We value our School Council at Woodland View Junior School. The class representatives are democratically elected and regularly attend meetings. Each class also has E-Safety Champions who are democratically elected.
Our Governing Body is comprised of elected representatives from the staff, parents, local authority and the community; they meet termly with the Executive Headteacher and Head of School.
We invite parents and carers for their views throughout the academic year through curriculum cafes and coffee mornings; the school operates an open door policy. Questionnaires are distributed to parents and carers and pupils are asked to complete an annual questionnaire.
The Rule of Law
From entry to school pupils are continually taught to recognise the difference between right and wrong and this, alongside their developing maturity, helps them to apply their understanding of these concepts in their daily lives, both at school and in the wider community. Our core rules of being Ready, Respectful and Safe, along with our RESPECT Values – Resilience, engagement, supportive, pride, empathy, collaboration and trust – underpin the curriculum at school and children have a good understanding of the expectations for behaviour and learning. Through the curriculum children are taught about rules and laws in the wider community.
Individual Liberty
Within our school children are encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment to enable them to do this. Through assemblies and PSHE children learn about their personal freedoms and take part in discussions and activities about how to exercise these safely, for example through e-safety and road safety.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those with Different Faiths and Beliefs
Our RE curriculum, PSHE lessons and assemblies reinforce the message of tolerance and respect for others. Key celebrations in different faiths are learned about and stories from around the world are shared throughout the curriculum. Pupils are taught to recognise the similarities and differences between religions and cultures.
Respect is one of our core values at school and children are encouraged to share their own beliefs and respect others’ beliefs. This is reinforced throughout school with all members of the school community treating each other with respect.
