Learning About British Values in Our Setting

Britain has undergone rapid economic and social change in the last few decades and we live in an increasingly diverse society.  We need to teach our children that it is possible to live together peacefully, each of them a valuable part of our multicultural world.  To address this the DfE have recently reinforced the need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectations 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.”

At Drayton Community Infant School we do not have specific lessons to teach children British Values they are included in everything that we do.  They are also particularly emphasised by the Jigsaw PSHE programme that we follow.  We implement British Values as stated below.

Democracy:

At Drayton Community Infant School we value and respect the rights of the individual.  Each year the children decide upon their class rules and the rights associated with these.  All children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard.  We have a school council which meets regularly to discuss issues raised.  It has its own budget and is able to genuinely effect change within the school.  Council members for each year group are voted in by their class.  We have an open door policy and listen to parent’s voice; in addition we have a pro-active Friends committee.

Our pupils are learning to:

• Understand and respect the democratic process.
• Understand how they can influence decision making through a democratic process.
• Argue and defend a point of view.
• Make choices and decisions.
• Choose their own materials and resources.
• Discuss solutions for challenges.
• Talk about topical issues in smaller and larger groups.
• Contribute to the life of the class and school.
• Listen to and respect the different opinions of others.
• Offer simple ideas and opinions about real school issues.
• Be confident to try new activities, initiate ideas and speak to a familiar group.
• Understand the importance of team work.
• Understand and respect the democratic process.

The Rule of Law:

The importance of laws, whether they govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies.  Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.  During their time at school children have the opportunity to interact with the local police through their visits in school.

Our pupils are learning to:

• Recognise the differences between right and wrong and apply this to their own lives. 
• Recognise and understand their feelings and behaviours.
• Name and accept responsibility for their behaviour.
• Understand the consequences of their behaviour and actions.
• Resolve conflicts effectively.
• Understand that living under the rule of law protects them and is essential for their well-being and safety.
• Recognise the difference between right and wrong and demonstrate this in their play and learning.
• Understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality and society more widely.

Individual Liberty:

Within our school children 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 young children to make choices safely, through our provision of a safe environment and empowering teaching.  Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely.  Whether it be through choice of learning challenge, child led research topics, or participation in extra-curricular opportunities pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Our pupils are learning to:

• Know about different groups they belong to and the important people and roles within them.
• Develop a sense of responsibility and set personal targets.
• Offer simple ideas or opinions about real issues.
• Begin to understand the rights and responsibilities of children.
• Have a developing awareness of their own needs, views and feelings and be sensitive to the needs, views and feelings of others.
• Understand their rights and responsibilities.
• Achieve things for themselves as opposed to for adult praise. Recognise and share their success.

Mutual Respect and Tolerance:

Mutual Respect is at the heart of our values and each person is respected and valued equally without regard to ability, gender, faith, heritage or race.  Children 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.  Drayton Community Infant School is situated in an area which is not greatly culturally diverse; therefore we place great emphasis on promoting diversity with the children.  Assemblies are regularly planned to address this issue either directly or through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures.  Our Discovery RE and Jigsaw PSHE teaching reinforces this.  Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school; this includes parents coming in to talk as well as pupils.  Year 2 also visit a local residential home to experience developing relationships with those of a different generation.     

Our pupils are learning to:

• Make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment to enable them to do this.
• Respect each other for the choices they make.
• Develop as independent thinkers through asking and answering questions.
• Disagree and still be friends.
• Share and take turns.
• Draw upon experiences from home and outside of school.
• Explore resources that celebrate diversity.
• Respect and celebrate similarities and difference.
• Develop their understanding of different culture, religions and traditions.
• Have a positive self-image and show that they are comfortable with themselves.
• See themselves as part of a much wider world, which includes blended families, disabilities, other religions and cultures.