Teaching British Values
Promoting British Values at Lowerhouses CE (VC) JI & EY 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.” The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated this year. At Lowerhouses these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
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 rules.
We have a student council which meets every month to discuss issues raised in class and the school community. The council has its own budget and is genuinely able to effect change within the school. Every child on the student council is voted in by their class.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Lowerhouses.
Pupils are taught from an early age the rules of the school. These rules are focused around our 'Circle of Care' which incorporates looking after and showing respect to one another, ourselves, our school, the Lowerhouses community and the planet.
Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and 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
At Lowerhouses, 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 eSafety and PSHE lessons.
Mutual Respect
Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children 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.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
Lowerhouses is a diverse school. We actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures, whilst teaching about Christian values and the school ethos.
Religious Education lessons and PSHE lessons reinforce messages of mutual respect for others. Members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.
The children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths.
