Promoting British Values at Hilderthorpe Primary School
The DfE have recently reinforced 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 mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.” At Hilderthorpe Primary School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways.Democracy
Each year the children decide upon their class charter and the rights associated with these. All the children contribute to the drawing up of the charter.
We have a student council which meets every week to discuss any issues raised by the classes and to organise events in school. Every child on the student council is voted in by their class.
Children have an annual questionnaire where they are able to put forward their views about the school.
Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. We encourage pupils to take ownership of not only their school but also of their own learning and progress. This encourages a heightened sense of both personal and social responsibility and is demonstrated on a daily basis by our pupils.
The Rule of Law
The importance of rules and laws, whether they be those that govern our school or our country, are referred to and reinforced often, such as in assemblies and when reflecting on behaviour choices. At the start of the school year, each class discusses and sets its own Class Charter, a set of principles that are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment.
Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves, and the consequences when laws are broken. These values are reinforced in different ways:
• visits from authorities such as the police and fire service
• during Religious Education, when rules for particular faiths are thought about
• visits by councillors and MP’s
• during other school subjects, where there is respect and appreciation for different rules – in a sports lesson, for example
Individual Liberty
At Hilderthorpe, 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 encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-Safety, PSHE lessons and assemblies.