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British Values

It is important that our school endeavours “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation 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.” DFE 2014.

These Values are:

  • Democracy
  • Rule of Law
  • Individual Liberty
  • Mutual Respect and the Tolerance of those with different faiths and Beliefs

All curriculum areas provide a vehicle for furthering understanding of these concepts and lessons provide excellent opportunities to deepen and develop understanding. Children embrace these concepts with enthusiasm and demonstrate a good understanding of their application to their own lives.

Democracy

Our school is a democracy for all its stake holders. All staff have a voice and most importantly so do the children. The voices of children are heard through our School Council, Eco Council and through questionnaires, listening boxes and ‘can we talk?’ scheme. Children are always able to voice their opinions, and we foster an environment where children are safe to disagree with each other. The children see democracy borne out in a whole variety of ways and see this as being an essential component of successful team working. Democracy is a school value that children meet when discussing respect and fairness.

The Rule of Law

The children at Woodlea Primary School are familiar with this concept through the strong values-based philosophy that infuses the entire work of the school. Rules are important in our school, and we all have shared responsibility for them. An understanding of behaviour for learning expectations as exemplified in our ‘Woodlea Wheel of Learning’ is a crucial part of our ethos. We refer to it daily as well as in specific school assemblies. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind our expectations. Visits from authorities such as the Police, Fire Service, local counsellors and local community support officers are regular parts of our school life and help reinforce our high expectations of behaviour both inside and outside of school. Children are used to discussing laws and rules and their application.

Individual Liberty

Our pupils are actively encouraged to take risks and make choices. They do this knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment where it is OK to make mistakes. As a school we provide boundaries for young pupils to enable them to make choices safely, they are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms. We do this through our E-Safety lessons, PHSE sessions and values assemblies. Challenge and choice are key parts of all our lessons, we encourage pupils and staff to ‘take a risk’ in their learning in a safe, managed environment. We also offer numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities; pupils are given the freedom to make choices at every step of their school lives with us, knowing that Woodlea is a safe place to explore individual choice and liberty.

Our Values-based discussions and assemblies begin with discussion about the self, e.g. self–respect and self-worth in relation to the individual value so that children see that they are important in their own right. The philosophy of our teaching and learning places emphasis on the right to have our own thoughts and evidence-based views. Children are strongly encouraged to develop independence in learning and to think for themselves.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs and Mutual Respect

At Woodlea, we believe that it is crucial that children should have a clear understanding of their place in our culturally diverse society and should be given opportunities to experience diversity. We work closely with members of different faiths and religions who share their knowledge to enhance learning and acceptance within our school. We follow the Agreed RE Syllabus for Surrey and regularly go on trips to various places of worship. In addition to this our RE and PHSE fosters an ethos of acceptance, of working with others and of respecting others opinions despite our own situations or beliefs.

Whilst actively promoting British Values we ensure that our school challenges pupils, staff or parents if expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views. This is underpinned by our school codes and policies.

Respect is a fundamental school value, around which pivots much of the work of the school. We pay explicit attention to this as part of our RE and PHSE curriculum. The Value is discussed deeply, starting with self-respect and covering respect for family, friends, and other groups; the world and its people; and the environment.

Anti-Radicalisation

At Woodlea School, all staff are expected to uphold and promote the fundamental principles of British values. As a school we recognise that safeguarding against radicalisation is no different from safeguarding against any other vulnerability.

Our curriculum promotes respect, tolerance and diversity. Children are encouraged to share their views and recognise that they are entitled to have their own different beliefs which should not be used to influence others. Our PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education), Citizenship and SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural) provision is embedded across the curriculum, and underpins the ethos of the school. It is recognised that children with low aspirations are more vulnerable to radicalisation and therefore we strive to equip our pupils with confidence, self-belief, respect and tolerance as well as setting high standards and expectations for themselves. Children are regularly taught about how to stay safe when using the Internet and are encouraged to recognise that people are not always who they say they are online. They are taught to seek adult help if they are upset or concerned about anything they read or see on the Internet.

Should you feel that the school is not promoting British values in line with this guidance, you should contact the school office and ask to speak with the Head Teacher. Likewise, if you feel that anyone working at the school is actively undermining these values, you should report this to the Head Teacher immediately.

For further information visit the HM Goverment Educate Against Hate website. 

British Values & SCARF

At Woodlea, SCARF provides a robust framework for promoting a positive ethos and values cross the school community, contributing significantly to British Values education, both explicitly and implicitly. The focus across the three themes of Health and Wellbeing, Relationships and Living in the Wider World foster and develop children’s responsibility for their own actions; respect for the actions and beliefs of others; an understanding of how each individual is protected by the rule of law; and how everyone can make a positive contribution to society through the democratic process.

Evidence and Impact

British Value

Evidence

Impact

Democracy

School council elections, minutes and records

Eco Council elections

Y6 Office Holder elections

(e.g. Sports Captains, House Captains)

School assembly planners

RE/PHSE planning, children’s work

Learning walks for behaviour and behaviour for learning

School values

Woodlea Wheel

Displays

Woodlea’s Got Talent

Children are able to work co-operatively in pairs and groups as well as whole class situations in all areas of the curriculum and wider aspects of school life

Children understand about turn taking and respecting the views of others

Children understand the principle of democracy and the importance of using their vote

Children in KS2 in particular are able to use language of respect (I agree with, I don’t agree with)

Rule of Law

Expectations

Behaviours

School values

Class codes

Prefect system

PHSE lessons on laws and rules

School Council minutes and records

Visits from Councillors, Police

Assembly planner

Learning walks for behaviour and behaviour for learning

Displays

Behaviour audit

Consistent sanction/reward system across Key Stages

Attendance awards

Children are able to articulate how and why we need to behave in school and demonstrate they understand and abide by school rules

Individual Liberty

Learning walks for behaviour and behaviour for learning

School values

Woodlea Wheel

Listening Boxes

Listening Ears

Display

Class council meetings

School Council Meetings

Eco Council Meetings

Woodlea’s Got Talent

Choice of extra-curricular activities

Children understand about the importance of accepting responsibility and of their right to be heard in school

Children are consulted on many aspects of school life and demonstrate independent thought and action

Mutual Respect and the Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

RE curriculum, planning, work and trips

PHSE curriculum, planning and work

Assembly planner

Learning walks for behaviour and behaviour for learning

Displays

Woodlea Wheel of Learning

St Mary’s Link

Charity fundraising

Children can articulate why respect is important, how they show respect to others and how they feel about it for themselves

Children’s behaviour demonstrates this value in action

They are able to work alongside one another and together as groups

Children are able to talk about different faiths and cultures they learn about, ask questions and show tolerance and respect for others of different faiths and religions