British values at Limehurst Primary school
In 2011, the government set out the guidelines to promote British values within primary schools. The British values are:
• Democracy
• Rule of Law
• Individual Liberty
• Mutual respect
• Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.
Here at Limehurst, British values are embedded into our curriculum and throughout our daily school life. We take our responsibility to prepare children for life in modern Britain very seriously. In doing so, we ensure that the fundamental British Values are introduced, discussed and lived out through the ethos and work of the school.
All curriculum areas provide a platform for furthering the understanding of these concepts.
Democracy
The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced at Limehurst, with democracy processes being used for important decisions within the school community. We believe that giving children a valued say in our school rules, assist in enforcing them through the role of prefect and also teaching them the importance of democracy within the world that they live in, allows our children to build a strong understanding of their role and responsibilities within school and the wider community.
Rule of Law
The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Limehurst. Students are taught the rules and expectations of the school and are taught the value and the reasons behind laws that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. They feel safe in a secure and respectful environment which they contribute to daily. Older children in the school set a good example for younger children to follow with their roles of prefects and also sports leaders within the school yard at break times and lunchtimes. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty
At Limehurst, students are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Staff at our school educate and provide boundaries for students to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education.
Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through e-safety.
We have a robust anti-bullying culture in place and a comprehensive Behaviour for Learning Policy.
• We teach children to value and appreciate their individual liberty within the UK and understand this is not true for all other countries across the world.
• We encourage children to make choices at different points in the school day within a safe and supportive environment. Children make lunch options and activity choices during break times and reward times.
• We teach children to respect the rights of others and things through the values of empathy and tolerance, as well as understanding and knowledge.
Mutual Respect
Respect is a strong part of Limehurst. In our school aims it highlights the importance of mutual respect, ‘Develop a school community which affords equal value to its members, is seen to be just and encourages mutual respect for each other irrespective of gender, race, disability or academic attainment’. Students 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 and this is reiterated through its teaching and learning environments.
• We have high expectations of how children behave which is reflected in our behaviour policy.
• Children learn that their behaviour has an impact on their rights and those of others.
• We promote opportunities for children to work together with others in a class, team, and groups. We also promote inclusion and mutual respect on the school yard with the assistance of our sports leaders.
• We warmly welcome all visitors and newly arrived children and their families.
• All members of the school community treat each other with respect and kindness and this is highlighted often in our assemblies with the ‘Kindness award’ that is awarded to those seen to be showing kindness with their peers.
Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs
This is achieved though equipping students with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving the opportunities to experience such diversity within the school community. .
Through our SMSC education we help students to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence; distinguish right from wrong and to respect English law; encourage students to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative and contribute positively to society; enable students to acquire a broad general knowledge of, and respect for, English public institutions and services and to appreciate and respect their own and other cultures.