Promoting Britsh Values at St Rose's 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." The Government set out its definition of British Values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated by the Prime Minister this year. At St Rose’s these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

 

Democracy:

Democratic values underpin the ethos of the school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through St Rose’s School Council, Eco Council and via the listening culture where all adults listen to children and value their views. The elections of School Councillors and Eco Warriors are based solely on pupil votes. Pupils’ views are sought on a range of issues, for example the pupils suggest and vote on activities to be offered in Golden Time. Our school Behaviour Policy includes rewards such as class points, known to the children as ‘pasta points’, which fill up a jar and when the jar is full the pupils vote on a reward of their choice as a class group. Children at the start of each year democratically agree class rules.

 

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 the school day, 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. The ethos of our school is underpinned by the spirit of our Mission Statement ‘We live, love and learn happily in our work and play as part of God’s family’.

The children follow a Code of Conduct and have devised their own class rules based on the schools’ ‘Golden Rules’ which link in with the Behaviour Policy and positive reward system. These are a set of guidelines for the class to follow and all classrooms display them.

 

Individual Liberty:

At St Rose’s, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. Positive choices are rewarded at lunch time through Friday Fine Dining and SMILE Award for academic and/or worthy behaviour. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices, through both provision of a safe environment and by providing an empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE and Citizenship lessons. Whether it be through choice of challenge, how they record their learning or participation in our extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices. Year 2 children chose whether they would like to be a Rocket Playtime Leader and undergo a series of early morning leadership training sessions.

 

Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:

Our school ethos and Behaviour Policy incorporate the value of respect, and pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is demonstrated at St Rose’s. Our school rules and aims promote respect and tolerance for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our Behaviour Policy. We aim to enhance pupils’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience some of these differences. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and different forms of bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE and Citizenship. This has been celebrated through our ‘Other Faiths Weeks.’ At St Rose’s we actively engage in the anti-bullying themes through assemblies and class activities promoting an inclusive culture.