Promoting British Values at Firfield Primary School

The DfE have highlighted 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 tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.’

These principles are promoted at Firfield Primary School by giving our pupils a sense of belonging both in school, the wider community and the country in which they live.

We believe that our pupils should acquire knowledge of both the past and the present which informs them of how British values have been shaped. We ensure our pupils gain a sense of enjoyment and curiosity in learning about themselves, others and the world around them.

We teach and promote the concept of DEMOCRACY through

• electing a School Council and following democratic processes in running the Council
• electing our School House Captains
• electing our E.C.O. Council representatives
• celebrating in weekly awards assemblies with class votes from staff and children
• consulting pupils, parents/carers through questionnaires on a range of topics
• following child initiated class and playground rules
• appointing ‘ Happy Lunchtime Helpers’ from KS2 to assist the KS1 children at lunchtimes in the dining hall, following applications and interviews
• Appointing and training Sports Ambassadors and Mini leaders to assist in supporting games and activities at playtimes and lunchtimes
• Applying peer assessment to identified work through our Developmental Marking Scheme
• our History curriculum
• Golden Time activities and treats voted and chosen for by the children
• Our PHSE curriculum
• Shaping the curriculum and role play areas from children’s ideas

We teach and promote THE RULE OF LAW through

• our School Behaviour Policy- Sanctions and Rewards
• school assemblies and R-Time
• Literacy lessons; opportunities for debating, learning how to argue and defend ideas and views
• SEAL assemblies; reflecting on right from wrong and consequences

We teach and promote the concept INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY through

• pupil responsibilities of being monitors, buddy readers, mini leaders,
• providing a wide range of enrichment activities which children can choose from
• Online Safety and Safeguarding lessons and activities including working with other services such as the police and fire brigade
• PHSE lessons; keeping safe from harm
• Children choosing their own level of challenge in some lessons
• Anti-Bullying work

We teach and promote MUTUAL RESPECT through

• our school code of conduct
• whole school theme weeks
• charity fund raising events
• participating in local community events

We teach and promote TOLERANCE OF DIFFERENT FAITHS AND CULTURES through

• school assemblies
• visits to places of worship
• RE themed weeks across the school
• Themed lunch days
• European Day of Languages
• Visitors in school
• Displays around the school
• Library books and resources for children to access
• PHSE curriculum