Teaching British Values at Danetree Primary School
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."
Our values support all children, staff, governors and community to develop effective relationships throughout the school, and provide the basis for our behaviour policy and PSHS curriculum. We use the values to ensure everyone in school benefits from high quality SMSC development.
Danetree Values
Positivity – being optimistic in attitude
Respect – recognising and admiring others’ qualities
Unity – working together as a team
Integrity – being honest and sticking by principles
Courage – being brave and doing things that are challenging
Promoting Democracy at Danetree
Democracy is evident throughout our school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our Pupil Parliament and Pupil questionnaires, the election of Head boy and girl, House captains and class members of parliament. Our school’s Behaviour Policy enables pupils to distinguish right from wrong. In instances of wrong doing, we challenge children’s bad choices by allowing children time for reflection to accept their responsibility for their wrong doings and support them to make changes for the future. We encourage a respect for democracy by modelling the voting process whenever appropriate, such as elections for house captains and class representative for pupil parliament.
Promoting the Rule of Law at Danetree
The importance of Laws/rules, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced, particularly during school and class assemblies, SMSC and topic work. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws; that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and consequences when laws/rules are broken.
Promoting Individual Liberty at Danetree
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. 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 SMSC lessons. Whether it be through choice of challenge, how they record work, selection of lunches or participation in our extensive extra-curricular clubs- pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Promoting Mutual Respect at Danetree
Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around Core Values such as ‘Respect’, and pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown.
Tolerance of and respect for those of all faiths , no faith, different culture and lifestyles
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 prejudices and prejudice-based issues have been followed and supported by learning in RE and SMSC. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning.
