British Values

Promoting British Values
At Bearwood Primary School we recognise the multi-cultural and multi-faith nature of the United Kingdom. We are committed to serving our community and we value the diversity of backgrounds of all pupils, families and the wider school community.
The Department for Education states that there is a 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”.
At Bearwood Primary School we uphold and teach pupils about British Values through Personal, Social, Health and Emotional (PSHE) and Religious Education (RE). We also teach British Values by planning and delivering a broad and balanced curriculum, offering real opportunities for exploring these values.
Also, the school takes opportunities to actively promote British Values through our assemblies and whole school systems and structures such as electing and running a successful School Council. We also actively promote British values through our positive behaviour policy which allows pupils to develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.
Actively promoting British Values also means challenging pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including „extremist‟ views.
At Bearwood we promote British Values in the following ways:
Democracy
- Children undertake a democratic process through class votes to elect school council representatives.
- All children are encouraged to debate topics of interest, express their personal views and make a meaningful contribution to the running of the school on matters that directly involve pupils through our school council.
- Children have the opportunity to have their voices heard through pupil questionnaires and pupil surveys and “Have Your Say” boxes in each classroom.
- The principle of democracy is explored in the curriculum as well as during assemblies.
Rule of Law
- Our whole school behaviour policy encourages all children to take responsibility for their behaviour and ensures that all children understand that their actions have consequences.
- School rules and expectations are clear, fair and regularly promoted. They are displayed clearly in all learning environments.
- Pupils are always helped to distinguish right from wrong, in the classroom, during assemblies and on the playground.
- Pupils are encouraged to respect the law and at Bearwood we enjoy visits from authorities such as the Police, Fire Service, Ambulance, etc. to help reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty
- Within school, pupils are actively encouraged, and given the freedom to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment
- Pupils are supported to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence.
- Pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour and learn about the importance of making the right choices.
- Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-safety teaching and PSHE lessons.
- Vulnerable pupils are protected and stereotypes challenged. A strong anti-bullying culture is embedded in the school and any form of bullying is challenged and addressed. The school also operates a robust system of logging incidents.
- Pupils have key roles and responsibilities in school e.g. digital leaders, playground buddies and class councillors
Mutual Respect and Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs
- Respect is one of the core values of our school and our first “Golden Rule”. The pupils know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone, adults and children.
- Pupils are helped to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life.
- Staff and pupils are encouraged to challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour.
- Links and visits are promoted with local faith communities and places of worship. Embedded in our curriculum plans are visits to mosques, synagogues, churches, gurdwaras and temples.
- Through the PSHE and RE curriculums pupils are encouraged to discuss and respect differences between people, such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, gender or sexuality and differences of family situations.
- We offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which all major religions are studied and respected. Our curriculum topics offer children the chance to reflect on British values and prepare our children for life in modern Britain.