British Values
Fundamental British Values
The Department for Education have rightly 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". We strongly believe that our own ethos and values reinforce and promote these British values, and these areas are explicit in all that we offer children.
Find out how we are promoting different fundamental British values here at RPS:
Democracy
- At RPS, we regularly use the language of our core-values and learning behaviours; these are shown through displays, iPowers, written feedback, assemblies and the language we use with children, staff and parents.
- Children are involved in drawing up class Secrets of Success, and the discussion around the rights and responsibilities associated with these.
- Children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. We have a school council which meets fortnightly to discuss aspects of school life. The council is able to genuinely effect change within the school. The council members for each year group, from YR to Y6, are voted in by their class.
- Pupils are also listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern for each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard.
- Pupils have the opportunity to vote on whole school projects, such as the Zany Zebra project with Marwell Zoo.
- Pupils are regularly asked questions about their learning in pupil conferencing sessions. These are conducted by different members of staff, governors and local authority inspectors. We seek their views to improve our school.
- Pupils also have the opportunity to apply for positions, such as House Captain, Sports Leaders, Bronze Ambassadors, School Councillors and RPS Buddies.
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 PCSOs and Fire Service help reinforce this message. This is backed up by a clear behaviour system, comprising of class points and warnings. We also use red slips being used as a deterrent at lunch times. Our Behaviour, Exclusions and Anti-Bullying policies state clearly states the views of RPS and the procedures.
Bikeability in Year 6 teaches pupils about the law when cycling, and develops a greater understanding of ‘Rules of the Road’.
The Y5 RE project on Trees, explores the good and bad things in the world, and how we each have a role in improving our school and community.
The curriculum itself actively promotes democracy, often explicitly so such as the Greeks project.
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 safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and lessons. Whether it be through choice of learning challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Pupils are also allowed to choose their preference for theme days, as well as choose clubs, activities at lunch and break, and which toys to bring in and play with their friends.
In PE lessons and sporting competitions, we promote the concept of ‘fair play’, following and developing rules, inclusion of others, and being competitive in an appropriate way.
Mutual Respect
At RPS, respect is central to our values, and a key behaviour that we develop within our pupils. As children grow older, they learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect.
Secrets of Success are developed by each class in order to have a shared understanding of how we show respect to each other and work as a team to improve outcomes for all.
We take pride in modelling manners and being courteous to each other. This is frequently commented on by visitors.
Weekly ‘Celebration Assemblies’ promote individual achievement, as well as developing respect for one another’s achievements.
Tolerance
At RPS, we have a variety of cultural beliefs amongst our pupils and staff. Although broadly Christian in ethos, we strongly promote diversity with the children. Assemblies are regularly planned to address this through the inclusion of stories, discussions, visitors and learning about celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures. Our RE teaching also reinforce this. Pupils and visitors of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. Children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths where possible.
Children from faiths are used in lessons or assemblies to help other pupils understand their religion. Our annual Languages day is always a big success and children love finding out about different countries, their language, traditions, food and songs.
Children are allowed to wear items of religious importance, and take part in their religious celebrations (e.g. Eid, Ramadan, etc); this is celebrated in school.
At RPS, we will actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views
Being Part of Britain
As a school, we value and celebrate the diverse cultures of our Romsey community. Alongside this, we value and celebrate being part of Britain. In general terms, this means that we celebrate traditions, such as customs in the course of the year; for example, Remembrance Day, Princess Anne and the War Horse unveiling, Children in Need, Comic Relief, Harvest festival, Guy Fawkes night, Shakespeare week, General Elections and news items, Sports Day, Christmas plays and traditions, and more.
Further, children learn about being part of Britain through our curriculum. Geographically, our pupils learn about the physical and locational elements of Britain, such as its capital cities and counties, its rivers and mountains, its make-up of countries, and where Britain is in relation to the rest of Europe and other countries in the world.
Historically, children learn about different periods in History, and how our British culture and way of life has been shaped by events in the past. This might also include inventions, discoveries, explorers, scientists, writers and artists.
Prevent Duty
A key part of the government’s counter-terrorism strategy is called ‘Prevent’. The aim is to prevent radicalisation of any individual, and to positively promote what it means to be British, in order to create a cohesive society that lives out British values, whatever the origins or ethnicity of the individuals. Read more about ‘Prevent’ here.:
How do we do our part in both preventing radicalisation, and promoting British Values?
- Most importantly, read above for how we promote British Values through our curriculum- it’s simply a part of who we are and what we do at Romsey Primary School & Nursery
- We take great pride in developing our children’s Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural development.
- We ensure that our safeguarding practices are kept up-to-date, and our policy and training covers the different aspects of the ‘Prevent Strategy’.
- We are ensuring that our pupils are able to think critically using curriculum opportunities including small group work.
- We teach about multiple religions, and have visitors from various faiths and religions speak to our pupils.
- Assemblies focus on our iPowers values and behaviour for learning skills, which inherently promote British Values.
- We challenge and act strongly on any form of racism or prejudice, either by adults or children.
- We provide strong emotional and pastoral support, and look out for individuals or groups of children or adults who may be isolated.
- We have strong links with local charities, community and faith groups, and seek to look beyond our own walls.