Promoting British Values

How we promote British Values

The DFE has reinforced the need ‘to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation for 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.’

At Barley Croft Primary School we are dedicated to promoting values which ensure our pupils develop a strong sense of social and moral responsibility which will prepare them for life in modern Britain. We would like to share with our parents how we promote these values.

Democracy

The school values pupil voice and we ask the pupils about their learning, their concerns and for their ideas about how we can make things better for them. We do this through our development of our Young Consultants.  At the start of each year children vote for their class representatives through an election process. Through their class representatives children have the opportunity to have their voices heard in regular meetings about school development.  

The Rule of Law

The school has a Behaviour policy. The children understand the school rules and what happens if these rules are broken. At the start of each year classes discuss the school expectations and rules how to interpret them in their own context. During PSHE lessons and assemblies children learn about the importance of having rules and how these relate to laws. We use a range of PSHE resources to promote moral, spiritual, social and cultural awareness among our pupils. Our children have a well-developed sense of justice. They understand and are able to discuss why there needs to be consequences for those who break the rules or laws. By being immersed in the ethos of the school, our children learn about their responsibility to be law abiding citizens.

Individual Liberty

Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Through the provision of a safe, supportive environment and empowering education, we provide boundaries for our children to make choices safely; for example:

• Choices about what learning challenge or activity to do.
• Choices around the participation in extra-curricular activities.
• Choices about lunchtime options, and so on

Our Behaviour policy is built on the principle that children are responsible for their own actions and choices and that these have consequences. The school sanctions system provides reflection time where pupils are able to think about the impact of their choices.  During PSHE, e-Safety lessons and Assemblies pupils are taught how to keep themselves safe whilst they exercise their rights and personal freedoms. Safeguarding is embedded in every aspect of life at the school.

Mutual Respect and Tolerance

Our ethos at Barley Croft is based on mutual respect and good manners. Adults actively model respect with one another, and with the children, in how we speak and treat one another. Our school is a diverse community and, through our curriculum, we promote an awareness of different faiths and we encourage our pupils to recognise and understand these faiths. Our pupils naturally show tolerance for others and have a curiosity to find out and understand cultures and faiths that are different from their own. Our children visit all the main places of worship in and around Leicester. All staff model a tolerant and accepting attitude. We use assemblies to raise and discuss issues of bullying and prejudice and reinforce learning during curriculum time.

At Barley Croft, we will actively challenge pupils, parents or staff who express opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including extremist views.