British Values

SMSC & British Values

 

The Department for Education has introduced a statutory duty for schools to promote British Values more actively, and to ensure they are taught in schools.

At Kingsway Primary School we are committed to serving our community. We recognise the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. We also understand the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.

We strive to ensure that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. Our school is dedicated to preparing students for their adult life beyond the formal, examined curriculum and ensure that we promote and reinforce British values to all our students.

 

The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.

The five key British Values are:

 

  • Democracy
  • The rule of law
  • Individual liberty
  • Mutual respect
  • Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

 

Our school uses strategies within the curriculum and beyond, to secure such outcomes for students. The examples below show some of the many ways that Kingsway Primary School seeks to promote British Values.

 

Democracy

 

  • School Council – making decisions on a regular basis.
  • Parent questionnaires.
  • PTA input.
  • Governors involvement in decision making.
  • Pupil voice and voting has an influence upon much that goes on or is decided, within our school.
  • Pupils are given the opportunity to give their viewpoint throughout the curriculum daily; they are invited to listen to alternative viewpoints and accept/respect that there may be differences.
  • Agreement of Class Rules.
  • In class, we work together and listen to each other’s views and ideas. If we can not come to a unanimous decision, we will vote and decide which ideas we prefer to ensure the decision is fair.
  • We listen patiently and respectfully whilst others are talking and wait for our turn to speak.
  • We listen to and respect the opinions of others through our discussions and circle time activities.

 

The Rule Of Law

 

  •  The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school, or the country, is consistently reinforced at Kingsway Primary.
  • Strong behaviour systems are in place, which are developed with the pupils.
  • Pupils are taught from an early age the rules of the school and the values and reasons behind rules and 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 Police and the Fire Service help reinforce this message.
  • Expectations are reinforced regularly and opportunities are sought frequently to praise positive choices.
  • Pupils modelling behaviour consistent with the school’s high expectation are regularly recognised and used as role models to others.
  • Opportunities are provided regularly for children and staff to participate or spectate in sporting activities which represent good examples of fairness and rules.
  • Extra-curricular clubs emphasise why rules and boundaries are necessary to ensure safety.
  • In class we listen carefully to rules and behaviour expected by the class teacher and other adults in the school.
  • We all help make the class rules to ensure harmony in the classroom; the safety and happiness of everyone.
  • During Circle Time/SEAL we discuss what is right and wrong.

 

Individual Liberty

 

  • Strong behaviour policy based on rights and responsibilities.
  • Anti-bullying policy.
  • Open and honest culture.
  • Open door policy for parents/ carers to discuss worries or concerns.
  • 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 informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education.
  • Pupils are given the freedom to make choices and become critical thinkers through evaluating, reflecting and collecting valid and reliable evidence to make good decisions.
  • Safeguarding our pupils and staff is paramount.
  • We make choices through our play and independent learning.
  • We recognise good efforts of others and say well done.
  • We challenge stereotypes and bias and look at role models who have challenged.

 

Mutual Respect

 

  • Home/School Agreement.
  • Assembly of achievements.
  • High levels of mutual respect are demonstrated daily in the excellent relationships between staff and pupils.

  • Kingsway Primary is a diverse school. We actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures.

  • Religious Education lessons and PSHE lessons reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others.

  • Members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. The children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths. Members of different faiths and religions within our school family are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance.

  • In class, we listen to a range of stories about different faiths and culture.

  • Throughout all areas of the curriculum, children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others.

  • We join in the celebrations of others and encourage children to share, take turns and the respect the opinions of others.

  • In RE and SEALs we discus differences of faith, ethnicity, disability and families.

 

Tolerance Of Those Of Different Faiths And Beliefs

  •  Celebration & integration into the curriculum about other faiths/beliefs.

  •  Specific events held in school to celebrate other cultures.

  •  Encouraged to share faiths and beliefs within school such as fasting, leave for religious observance, etc.

 

What is Prevent?

The Prevent strategy was published by the government in 2011 and is a key part of CONTEST, the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy. It aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. The strategy aims to respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism and those who promote it, prevent people being drawn into terrorism, and work with sectors and institutions where there are risks of radicalisation.

 

The Brief For Schools

Schools should ensure that their safeguarding arrangements take into account the procedures and practice of the local authority as part of the inter-agency safeguarding procedures set up by the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB). Schools’ child protection policies should describe procedures which are in accordance with government guidance and refer to locally agreed inter-agency procedures put in place by the LSCB. Extra responsibility and duty will be placed upon schools to recognise what vulnerabilities can look like and to be able to refer concerns confidently through the dedicated safeguarding route known as Channel. (Channel is a multi-agency safeguarding programme which operates throughout England and Wales. It provides tailored support to people who have been identified as at risk of being drawn into terrorism).

 

Responsibilities Of Governors And Teachers

Senior management and governors should make sure that staff have training that gives them the knowledge and confidence to identify children at risk of being drawn into terrorism and challenge extremist ideas which can be used to legitimise terrorism and are shared by terrorist groups. They should know where and how to refer children and young people for further help. Prevent awareness training will be a key part of this. Senior management and governors are expected to assess the risk of pupils being drawn into terrorism, including support for the extremist ideas that are part of terrorist ideology.

 

What Training Do Staff Require?

The Prevent for schools website suggests that schools can demonstrate good leadership and management in tackling extremism by providing training that gives staff the knowledge and confidence to identify children at risk of being drawn into terrorism and challenge extremist ideas which can be used to legitimise terrorism and are shared by terrorist groups. Prevent awareness training will be a key part of this.

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