Promoting British Values at Hallaton

In 2011, the government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy. The DfE have 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 Hallaton CE Primary British values are regularly reinforced in the following ways:

Democracy

As a Church of England school, our Christian values of Kindness, Endurance, Friendship, Justice and Wisdom were chosen through the whole school community placing their votes. This included every child, members of staff and governor representatives voting for the five Christian Values. These values are displayed taught and promoted throughout the school and throughout each academic year. They underpin our work as a school and very effectively reinforce all aspects of British values education. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council. (School Councillors are voted in by the children every year). Pupil views are sought in different ways on a wide range of school matters. We use the outcomes of surveys to make adjustments and improvements where necessary. Within our behaviour policy there are whole class reward choices which the pupils vote on as a class group.

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, including those governing the individual, the class and the whole school, are consistently reinforced. The children understand these laws as rules. They are taught the reasons why rules exist and the consequences on the individual and our school society as a whole if rules are broken. They also understand that working within agreed rules brings its own rewards. At the start of each school year class teachers work with children to draw up a Class Charter of age appropriate class rules that all class members agree to. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind British 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 Fire Service help reinforce this message.

Individual Liberty

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make personal choices, knowing that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. We educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices through the provision of a safe environment and empowering them through 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 and PSHCE lessons. Whether it be through choice of challenge or working partners, choice of how they record their work, of choice of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make a wide range of choices.

Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

Respect is a core value within which our school ethos and behaviour policy are rooted. Through class, year group and whole school activities and discussions pupils have a good understanding of what respect means and how it is shown. Our class and school rules and our behaviour policy thoroughly reinforce this ethos. Visitors to our school e.g. the Police also reinforce the importance of respect. Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs grows and develops through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society. We provide our pupils with opportunities to experience cultural diversity by fostering links with schools with a rich cultural and ethnic mix. Within our RE curriculum we study the background and practices of a range of faiths practised in Leicester and Leicestershire, including the Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and Jewish faiths. We take our children to visit places of worship of these faiths and provide opportunities for our children to speak with and listen to faith leaders. Discussions in RE and PSHCE lessons at an age appropriate level give pupils opportunities to consider the reasons for and consequences of religious and racial intolerance and prejudice-based bullying.