Promoting Fundamental British Values

In accordance with The Department for Education we aim to actively promote British Values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. Pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law.

At St Michael’s CE VA Primary School we have our own School Christian Values which work alongside the British Values. These values are what bind us together as a society. At St Michael’s we have developed an understanding of what we believe British Values to be and how they guide us through  what we do.

Mutual Respect

- Our whole school ethos is built around mutual respect and we believe that respect for others is a vital component of moral development.                                                                                

-We are an inclusive school where everyone is valued and has a contribution to make to the school.                                                    

-We encourage open discussions in all areas but particularly in lessons which promote citizenship such as Jigsaw (Circle time) and RE.                                                                                                      

-Staff help children understand respect by talking about how actions/ words can affect others.

Individual Liberty 

-Within our school children are encouraged to make choices, knowing they are in a safe and supportive environment to enable them to do this.                                                                                                                         

- We offer a range of clubs which pupils have the freedom to choose from, based on their interests and skills.                                                                                                                                                 

-As a school we educate and provide boundaries for pupils to make choices, through provision of a safe environment and an empowering education.                                                                                                              

-Our behaviour policy gives an excellent forum for staff to discuss the choices (both good and bad) that pupils make about their behaviour in school.                                                                                                                

-Through E-Safety we teach the importance of keeping yourself safe by choosing not to share personal information.

Democracy 

- In our school we listen to the children’s and parents voices, we respect their thoughts and opinions.  We are democratic whenever possible. For example we vote for who we want to represent our classes or for which sport or activity we would like to do.                                                

 -We have a school council which consists of two members from each class who are nominated and voted for.                                                                                               

-Each year children decided upon their class charter.

Rule of Law

- The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school or the country are consistently reinforced throughout our regular school day.                                                                                               

-From entry to school pupils are consistently taught to recognise the difference between right and wrong and this, alongside their maturity, helps them to apply their understanding of these concepts in their daily lives.                                                          

 -We have a behaviour policy which ensures fairness, respect and safety for all.                                                         

-Children understand the importance of rules and the consequences of breaking them.                                           

-Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire services help reinforce rule of law and its importance in keeping us safe.

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs 

- Collective worships are planned to give children opportunities to reflect on a variety of beliefs, cultures and moral values.                                                                                                                 

-The RE curriculum is also carefully planned for to equip children with the knowledge which will enable them to understand the diverse nature of the world in which we live in.                                                                                           

 -Within our curriculum plans we have identified key religious festivals from a range of religions to be discussed and explored.                                                                                                           

-We help our children to understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity.