How British Values are promoted at
Brunswick Park Primary School
Introduction
At Brunswick Park Primary School we value each and every member of our school community as individuals and respect their rights and freedom. Through our High Five we promote the values of:
- Courtesy and co-operation: Follow instructions from an adult the first time
- Respect: Treat others as you would like to be treated
- Care: Move around the school sensibly and safely
- Consideration: Look after everyone’s belongings and equipment
- Commitment: Be a positive role model
In addition, we focus our daily assemblies (Collective Worship) on the following values monthly, so in their school careers children will have experience of them all:
September: RESPECT
October: EMPATHY
November: RESPONSIBILITY
December: PEACE
January: POSITIVITY AND RESILIENCE
February: HONESTY AND TRUST
March: PATIENCE
April: GRATITUDE
May: DEMOCRACY
June: PERSEVERANCE AND COURAGE
July: ASPIRATION
We believe that these values are the fundamental building blocks for our children to grow and develop as responsible adults and British citizens.
The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy. These values are:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
Our curriculum is designed to ensure that our children have the opportunity to learn and reflect upon the British values that underpin our lives.
Moral Development
Regular activities such as Circle Time and daily assemblies (Collective Worship) allow and encourage our children to discuss British values and understand how they are relevant to them.
The children are supported in their moral development by their:
- Ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong
- Readily apply this understanding in their own lives
- Respect of the civil and criminal law of England
- Understanding of the consequences of their behaviour and actions
- Investigation of and ability to offer reasoned views about moral and ethical issues
- Understanding and appreciation of the viewpoints of others on these issues
Social Development
Children have a wide range of opportunities to work collaboratively within class, across Year Groups and phases. We promote ‘Listening Friends’, Play Leaders and Lunchtime Ambassadors to support other children throughout the day including at break-time and lunchtimes
Brunswick Park Primary School is at the heart of the local community and we encourage pupils to show care and consideration for others through charitable work and young citizenship, including work with local secondary schools. The Junior Leadership Team ensures that all children can influence decision making through democratic processes.
There is a strong emphasis throughout the Personal Social Health Citizenship Education (PSHCE) areas of study on individual rights and responsibilities, including respect and valuing difference in the ways people choose to live in modern British Society.
Our children are encouraged to develop socially by:
- Using a range of social skills in different contexts, including working and socialising with pupils from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds
- Being encouraged to participate in community activities in different settings, including volunteering
- Co-operating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively
- Understanding the importance of identifying and combating discrimination
- Accepting and engaging with the fundamental British values of:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths, beliefs and life choices
This will develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow pupils to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.
Cultural Development
At Brunswick Park Primary School we value the diverse ethnic background of all pupils and families and undertake a variety of events and lessons to celebrate these. We have found this approach to be enriching for all parties as it teaches tolerance and respect for the differences in our community and the wider world.
Through the RE curriculum and Personal Social and Citizenship Education themes there are a range of learning opportunities which have strong links to the United Kingdom, through which we develop our children’s cultural understanding by enabling children to:
- Understand and appreciate the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others
- Understand and appreciate the range of different cultures within school and beyond our local community as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain
- Gain knowledge of Britain’s democratic Parliamentary System and its central role in shaping our history and values, and in continuing shape life in Britain
- Be willing to participate in and respond positively to artistic, sporting and cultural opportunities
- Gain an interest in exploring, improving understanding of and showing respect for different faiths, cultures and cultural diversity
- Understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity, shown by tolerance and attitudes towards different religions, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities.
Spiritual Development
Our children are encouraged to reflect on the predominant religious and moral values that underpin our democratic and multi-cultural British society. Through RE lessons, assemblies, visits to places of worship and celebratory events, our children learn about the similarities and differences of other religions and are encouraged to reflect on their own beliefs whilst tolerating the different viewpoints of others, including those who do not have a religious faith.
We aim to develop our children spiritually by supporting them to:
- Gain the ability to be reflective about their own beliefs, religious or otherwise, that inform their perspective on their own lives, showing an interest in and respect for different people’s faiths, feelings and values
- Have a sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning differences about themselves, others and the world them
- Use imagination and creativity in their learning
- Be willing to reflect upon their own experiences
Conclusion
At Brunswick Park Primary School we believe that through promoting British values, our children will become responsible citizens for the future who show mutual respect and tolerance of others, value their own liberty and understand the rules of law and democracy, whilst demonstrating care and compassion for all. Whilst we recognise that these values are fundamental to life in Britain, we believe that they are fundamental to life anywhere in the World.
