Promoting 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.

The Key Values are:

• Democracy
• Rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect
• Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

• Democracy

Pupil voice is significant at Theydon Bois Primary School. Our pupil elected school council plays a strong role in our school. They are elected by their class peers and are involved in making the school a better place to learn. Additionally, House Captains are elected each year by the whole school in a democratic election process. Pupils have a great amount of input in regards to what and how they learn as they decide upon the topic they would like to learn about each half term and the teachers use this to inform planning. The pupil’s voice is also heard through pupil conferencing and through pupil questionnaires. We know that the formation of the school council and the active participation of our pupils will sow the seeds for a more sophisticated understanding of democracy in the future.

• The Rule of Law

Our pupils will encounter rules and laws throughout their entire lives. We want our pupils to understand that whether these laws govern the class, the school, the neighbourhood or the country, they are set for good reasons and must be adhered to.

This understanding of the importance of rules will be consistently reinforced through assemblies, in classes, around the school and through our curriculum. The involvement of our pupils in the creation of the school rules helps them to understand the reasons behind the rules and the consequences if they are broken. Through PSHE questions and circle times, we allow opportunity to debate and discuss the reasons for laws so that children can recognise the importance of these for their own protection. Throughout the year we welcome visits from members of the wider community including the police, the fire brigade and many more. We believe that clear explanations and real life stories emphasise the importance of the rule of law for our pupils. Opportunities for children to take more responsibility around the school are encouraged.

• Individual Liberty

We invest a great deal of time in creating a positive culture in our school, so that children are in a safe environment where choices and freedoms are encouraged and valued. Pupils are given the freedom to make a variety of meaningful choices such as choosing the level of challenge they want to progress to in a lesson.

We offer a range of clubs which pupils have the freedom to choose from, based on their interests and skills. Through our E-Safety days, we educate children on their rights and personal freedoms as well as supporting them in recognising how to exercise these freedoms safely. 

At Theydon Bois Primary School, we believe that valuing choice and freedom in daily school life will foster a value for individual liberty as the children embark upon their adult lives.

• Mutual respect

Mutual respect is at the core of our school life. Our behaviour policy is based on acknowledging the positive; both pupils and parents had a chance to respond to the policy prior to publication.

The children learn to treat each other and staff with great respect. This is evident when walking around the School and in the classrooms. Each class draws up a set of class rules or a class agreement each year and use this to set the tone for the level of respect that is expected throughout the year.

Through E-Safety Days and Anti- Bullying week, the children are taught to value differences in themselves and others and most importantly to show respect to all. 

• Acceptance/Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

Theydon Bois Primary School follows the Gloucestershire RE agreed syllabus which ensures that all children learn about the main religions and teaches respect and understanding for the cultures, beliefs, opinions and traditions or others. Class assemblies also help to contribute to the knowledge of special occasions, beliefs and customs.

• Through our curriculum and the routines of our daily school life, we strive to demonstrate acceptance/tolerance and help children to become knowledgeable and understanding citizens who can build a better Britain for the future. We use opportunities such as the Olympics and current news and events from around the world to help the children study and learn about life and cultures in different countries.

We recognise the diversity within our society and ensure that British Values are embedded within our curriculum.  The teaching of British Values is integrated through the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) learning that takes place across all the curriculum areas.

How do we promote British Values?

We enable students to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem & self- confidence.

• Growth mindset embedded across the school
• Year 6 residential
• School Trips
• Forest School, Pigeon Care, Mile a Day, Mindfulness

We enable students to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England

• High expectations of all children and staff across the school
• Agreed classroom expectations
• Terrific – pupils are expected to be Thoughtful, Enthusiastic, Responsible, Respectful, Inquisitive, Friendly, Inclusive and Capable

We encourage students to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and to society more widely

• Singing to the elderly and Theydon Christmas Fair for the community
• Charity fundraising by pupils eg. Children in Need, GOSH, Enterprise initiatives

We enable students to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England

• Class visits to the places in the village including the churches in Theydon Bois
• Visits from Emergency services in classes and during assemblies

We encourage further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling students to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures

• Visitors from and class visits to places of worship
• Assemblies sharing and celebrating different cultures and faiths.
• Black History Week

We encourage respect for other people

• School Ethos and values, including TERRIFIC
• Assemblies

We encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England.

• School Council elections
• School council visits to participate in Democracy Week conferences
• Pupil involvement in decision making within school eg. School lunches