Promoting British Values at Westfield

The DfE have recently reinforced the 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 and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.”

At Wesfield Primary School, these fundamental British values are promoted and embedded into all parts of school life. Our school ethos of PRIDE and our British Values and Citizenship policy reflects these values, ensuring that all members of our school understand the importance of these values and how they are essential to enable us to operate as a community.

Democracy:

Democracy is well represented within the school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council and Pupil questionnaires. The elections of House Captains, as well as the introduction of the class “PRIDE Award” (based on the core values) each term are based solely on pupil votes. Our Promoting British Values Leader is organising an annual trip to the Houses of Parliament during the Autumn term.

Our school behaviour policy involves rewards, including golden time which the children get to choose and also a termly activity which the pupils vote on as a class group. Through our use of the restorative justice approach, children understand that they have a right to be heard.

The Rule of Law:

The importance of Laws, whether they be those that 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. Visits from authorities such as the Police; Fire Service; Guildford Flames; Lifeguards etc. are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.

At the beginning of each school year the children take part in creating a class charter which sets out the rules of their classroom, as well as recapping the school and playgroup golden rules.

Individual Liberty:

Within school, 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 for young pupils to make choices safety, through of provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and Learning for Life ( PSHE) lessons. Whether it be through choice of challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect

Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around Core Values such as ‘Respect’ (PRIDE) and pupils have been part of discussions and termly assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. Posters around the school promote respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our behaviour policy. Our use of the restorative justice approach builds an understanding of the need for respectful behaviour towards all members of our school.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:

This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Assemblies and discussions involving our school ethos (PRIDE) have been followed and supported by learning in RE and Learning for Life (PSHE). The school has a high-profile Celebrating Diversity week that starts each new academic year, linking to languages spoken by our EAL pupils. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. Issues of intolerance are dealt with immediately both individually and through whole class discussions.