Hello, I am Miss Ford and I am the British Values coordinator at Hayfield Lane Primary School
Promoting British Values at Hayfield Lane Primary School
In accordance with the Department for Education we aim to actively promote British values in school to ensure that young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. The promotion of British values is not something new to our curriculum at Hayfield Lane Primary School. Such values are at the core of all we do whether it be through our Tribe Times, our RE curriculum, our RSE or through other areas of the curriculum.
The term British values can be somewhat misleading as these values are integral to so many countries across the world. Pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ all people living in England are subject to its law.
The key values are
- Democracy
- Rule of Law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect and
- Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
DEMOCRACY
Each year the children decide upon their class rules and the rights associated with these. All the children contribute to the drawing up of the class rules.
At the beginning of every school year children are invited to apply for the role of school councillor.. Each class then holds a secret ballot; the children then respect the majority decision. The school council meet regularly to discuss what they feel needs to be improved within the school and also to take on projects that they can lead within school. They then feedback to the classes informing their peers of what has been discussed in the meeting and also to vote on ideas raised and ask for ideas as well. In class, we work together and listen to each other’s views and ideas. If we cannot come to a unanimous decision, we will vote and decide which ideas we prefer to ensure the decision is fair.
RULE OF LAW
The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school, or the country, is consistently reinforced at Hayfield Lane Primary School. 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. Furthermore, they are also taught about the importance of laws, how laws are made and the different laws that keep us safe.
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, rules and etiquette in sport for example school sports day and PE lessons. 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.
LIBERTY
At Hayfield Lane Primary, 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 safe choices, through provision of a safe environment and empowering educational experience. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and we advise how to exercise these safely. Whether it be through choice of challenge, how they record, participation in extracurricular activities, they are given the freedom to make choices.
MUTUAL RESPECT AND TOLERANCE
Partnership activities develop the children’s empathy for others through celebrating cultural variety and richness and help to challenge and dispel misleading and negative stereotypes.
Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around Core Values such as 'Respect', and pupils have been part of discussions and Tribe Times related to what this means and how it is shown.
Dojo’s, stickers and certificates are given for positive attitudes and behaviours. High levels of mutual respect are demonstrated daily in the excellent relationships between staff and pupils.
Hayfield Lane Primary actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures. Religious Education lessons and our Global Citizenship 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.