Fundamental British Values at Kirtlington C E Primary

 As a school we actively promote the five fundamental British Values defined as: democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.  We promote these values through our school vision, values and aims, our spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) curriculum and the enrichment activities in which our pupils participate.

 

Democracy

This links to our school values of: Service and Respect

How we promote it:-

  • We have an elected school council that meets each term. In September, pupils prepare election speeches and representatives are chosen from each year group. This mirrors the electoral process and we use this to teach about democracy. We use opportunities such as general elections, local elections and national issues such as voting on the European Union to further consolidate pupils understanding of democracy.
  • The school council are involved in making key decisions about aspects of school life such as school behaviour rules and values, how to spend donated funds, organise charity fund raising events, both locally and nationally, as well as ways to continually improve our school.
  • We have an environment Committee that also meets each term. In September, pupils prepare election speeches and representatives are chosen from each year group. They are involved in making decisions about our school environment and in working on projects with volunteers in the local community.
  • In Year 6 we have House captains, Sports Leaders, and playground leaders all who prepare speeches and are voted to these positions of responsibility in our school.
  • Democracy is also promoted through PSHE lessons.

 

 

The Rule of Law

This links to our school values of: Respect and Service

How we promote it:-

  • Through our school values and Christian values, children are taught about integrity, truthfulness, justice, and honesty and are supported as they think about how to take the right action, even when the choice is a difficult one.
  • Pupils have helped to write the school rules so they have a good understanding of what is expected of them. Our behaviour policy is aligned to our school rules and values and pupils are asked to reflect upon which school value they have broken in order to understand their actions.
  • Each class has devised their own learning rules in conjunction with the school rules and behaviour policy
  • There are rewards (House points) to promote positive behaviour consistent with the behaviour policy and successful Learner ethos (learner stickers, leading to learner certificates and Head teacher awards).
  • Parents and children sign a home-school agreement annually in order to collectively work together
  • The rule of law is reinforced through visits from people in authority such as the police and fire service

 

 

Individual Liberty

This links to our school values of: Respect

How we promote it:-

  • Through our school values and aims, children are taught about personal responsibility, the courage to stand up for what is right, resilience and aspiration.
  • Through assemblies and our PSHE curriculum, children are taught how to make safe, informed choices and this includes online safety. Pupils in Year 6 learn first aid skills and through the Junior Citizens project work learn a range of life skills to enable them to make safe, responsible choices.
  • As a school, we have introduced a growth mindset culture to develop pupil’s confidence, independent learning skills and to foster high aspirations. Pupils are rewarded for being successful learners and their achievements are celebrated in class or in whole school assemblies
  • Pupils have opportunities to make choices about the extracurricular activities they attend, the sporting activities they participate in or initiate activities they wish to lead in school such as cake sales
  • We encourage pupil voice through learner questionnaires and we listen to what pupils say
  • Thorough our topic curriculum, pupils are given regular opportunities to explore critical thinking issues and develop their ability to discuss their opinions and work together to explore how they may disagree or agree with each other.

 

 

Mutual Respect

This links to our school values of: Love and respect

How we promote it:-

  • Through our school vision and Christian values, children are taught to respect each other, to show love and compassion for everyone.
  • Mutual respect is promoted through our PSHE and RE curriculum and children are encouraged to appreciate their own culture and what it means to be British, as well as developing an understanding and respect for other cultures
  • Enrichment activities throughout the school year, such as national charity days, enable our pupils to learn and celebrate the resilience of others.
  • Through the link with our school in South Africa, pupils are encouraged to explore connections between themselves and children in different contexts and cultures; to celebrate shared experiences and to learn about diversity.
  • We have high expectations about pupil conduct and pupils are encouraged to respect every child and adult in our school and to follow the school behaviour rules.

 

 

Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs

This links to our school values of: Respect and Love

How we promote it:-

  • Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs is promoted through our Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education. Children learn about different religions, their beliefs, places of worship and festivals and their learning is displayed throughout the school.
  • We invite visitors to our school to share their experiences of different faiths (including Rabbi and Quaker) to support the teaching of RE
  • Children have the opportunity to visit places of worship including the local C of E church and Oxford mosque
  • Through the curriculum and assemblies, we celebrate significant religious festivals like Diwali