PROMOTING BRITISH VALUES AT EVERSLEY PRIMARY SCHOOL
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, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.”
The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated in 2014. At Eversley Primary School we ensure that these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
DEMOCRACY
- Pupils vote for representatives for Eversley Parliament annually
- Through each cabinet pupils are encouraged to share their views about how the school can be improved
- Pupils contribute towards decision making within: Teaching & Learning, Environment, Enterprise, Enrichment, Finance, Values and Wellbeing
- Year 5 & 6 pupils support younger pupils during lunchtime by being Sports Leaders and reading buddies
- House Captains are elected and are responsible for collecting house counters and ensuring these are calculated weekly and are shared across the school
- Through drama and PHSE pupils discuss issues around fairness, equality etc
- During assemblies we highlight issues around democracy rights and responsibilities (appreciation, co-operation, freedom, democracy, hope, courage and respect)
- Pupils have an annual questionnaire where they are able to put forward their views about the school
- Pupils in Year 6 frequently take part in interschool debates learning key principles around democracy
- Eversley Primary School was co-constructed with staff, parents and pupils
THE RULE OF LAW
- Rules are consistently reinforced at Eversley Primary School and are displayed in every classroom
- Whole school values and class rules are an important part of the school ethos and support us to promote a harmonious and happy environment where all pupils feel safe
- Pupils are taught the following:
- To respect their environment
- Treat other people how you would like to be treated
- Be kind, helpful, respectful and polite
- Always try your best
- Be proud to be yourself
- Ensure the safety of yourself and others
- Take pride in wearing your school uniform everyday
- Take responsibility for actions including consequences
- Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind school rules and laws
- Pupils across the school have visits from the police to talk about following the law and what consequences might be if you don’t
- Year 6 take part in Junior Citizens scheme annually which includes teams supporting pupils to engage in a range of activities around – what is a weapon, age of responsibility, consequential thinking, road safety awareness, transport and personal safety
- Pupils are clear about the consequences if rules are broken in our school, which are displayed in each classroom.
INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY
All pupils at Eversley Primary School 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 your pupils to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering curriculum.
- Throughout the year the whole school focus on enterprise projects, which they have to decide what they are going to market and create
- We promote our schools anti bullying policy through PHSE, drama, workshops and school assemblies, encouraging pupils to make the right choices
- Being able to decide if they would like to take part in a lunchtime club or spend their lunchtimes inside the games room, library or outside playing sports
- Selecting the choice of challenge, they would like in each lesson
- Being able to choose what they would like for lunch from a variety of options
- Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms through circle time and the school PHSE curriculum
- Pupils are continuously advised on how to exercise their personal freedoms safely through the school e-safety programme and PHSE curriculum
MUTUAL RESPECT
Mutual respect is an important ethos and values for everyone at Eversley. Pupils learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect.
Ethos and Values we promote
- Our aim is to create partnerships with families and the community to prepare all pupils to become lifelong learners in a high achieving, inclusive, creative, nurturing and safe environment.
- At Eversley we believe that all learners are unique individuals who are entitled to realise their full potential.
- We believe that enjoyment and self-belief occurs when children feel safe and are having fun. In our school we show mutual respect all cultures and originality.
- Mutual respect is modelled by the staff’s own conduct and is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our behaviour policy.
TOLERANCE OF THOSE OF DIFFERENT FAITHS AND BELIEFS
Eversley Primary School is a diverse school. We actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures with the staff, pupils and parents. Religious educations and PHSE lessons reinforce message of tolerance and respect for others. During assemblies and RE lessons we share different faiths. We invite people from different religions to come and share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes. The pupils also visit different places of worship to gain a better understanding of different faiths and beliefs.
Below are some PowerPoint slides that have been shown in our weekly assemblies:-