What are British Values?
Fundamental British Values underpin what it is to be a citizen in a modern and diverse Great Britain valuing our community and celebrating diversity of the UK. These values are Democracy, Rule of Law, Respect and Tolerance, Individual Liberty.
The DfE have reinforced the need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote 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 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values were reiterated in 2014.
Democracy
The school rules are annually reviewed with the children and each class agrees on the rules for their own charter. We have a Children’s council, elected by the children. These children have to write a presentation to their peers to persuade them to vote for them to become a councillor. The school council is genuinely able to effect change within the school. Democracy is also actively practised in classes with children voting on a range of issues, from how to improve the facilities on the school playground, who will be elected May King & Queen, to what children think works well in lessons and what we can improve. Children are asked their opinion during monitoring and observations of lessons. These opinions are highly valued and feed into future planning
How we influence democracy is explored through PSHE and assemblies. This includes looking at historical figures such as Nelson Mandela and Rosa Parks and exploring the effectiveness of different approaches.
Individual Liberty
At Rothwell, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries from where pupils can make informed choices, through a safe environment (both in the real world and through online learning) and an empowering education. 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 and PSHE lessons. Whether it be through choice of challenge, of how they record (for example using an iPad or not or how they present group work), of participation in our extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given freedom to make choices.
Stereotypes are regularly challenged at Rothwell and we work hard to raise the aspirations of all of our children. This ensures there are opportunities for our children to see and experience different career possibilities.
Mutual Respect
Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and the rights of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect. We work hard to ensure there is time, support and space for children to develop specific social and emotional skills.
Anti-bullying has a high profile within the school with it being addressed through general classroom practice, the PSHE curriculum, assemblies and outside people, such as theatre groups. Children are also taught about respect and bullying in the online world, through our e-safety lessons. They also know what to do if they see something disrespectful.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
We promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures as well as through our curriculum. Religious Education lessons, assemblies and PSHE lessons challenge stereotypes and reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others no matter their ethnicity, beliefs, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age or any other protected characteristics (as outlined in the 2010 Equalities Act and article 14 of UNICEFs Rights of the child). Members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within the classes and school. Major religious festivals are acknowledged through assemblies and the RE curriculum. At Rothwell, we actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to the values we hold as a school, including ‘extremist’ views.