St Ann's CofE Primary School

British Values                                                                                             

TEACHING BRITISH VALUES

Promoting British Values at Warrington St. Ann’s CE Primary School

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 St. Ann’s we have agreed a set of Christian Values which are core to the ethos of our school and which support British Values.  These are:

Honesty & Trust; Forgiveness & Reconciliation; Respect: Perseverance; Peace and Hope.

The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated in 2014. At St. Ann’s these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy

Democracy is well established within St. Ann’s CE School. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Parliament which involves all of our children from Year 3 to Year 6.  Each class elect 2 representatives who speak at the Parliament Meetings on behalf of the class.  Main Members of Parliament are elected from Y6, following a hustings event, to represent the pupil voice in school and they form the Cabinet. During the election process, children learn about democracy. The School Parliament have been involved with the development of a range of aspects of school life, most recently they have been thinking about effective reward systems in school and friendship.

Each month Parliament debate a range of issues identified by the Y6 Members of Parliament.  Children discuss these issues in their classes and then the whole Parliament (all of KS 2) meet and the class representatives share the views of their class.  This is led by the Cabinet members. The Cabinet members then meet with the Assistant Head to discuss the ideas from the Parliament and they are genuinely able to effect change within the school.

The Rule of Law

The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout the day, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies and worship time and PSHCE lessons within classes. 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.

Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message.  The school has recently developed a set of Golden Rules. These rules are reinforced during the year and the consequences of not following the rules are discussed.  The RE curriculum has units on learning about authority and on the impact on society of laws (Ten Commandments).

Individual Liberty

Within school, 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 choices safety, through of provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSCHE sessions during PSHCE lessons. Children also learn that alongside having individual rights they also have responsibilities to others.

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 and this is fundamental to our school Behaviour and Anti-Bullying Policies.  Children are also encouraged to respect the school building and all school equipment and to ensure that St. Ann’s is a welcoming, tidy and pleasant environment for everyone to share.  Each year during Friendship week (to coincide with National Anti-bullying Week) we have a whole school focus on respect for ourselves and each other through a shared text.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Warrington St. Ann’s is a Church of England School.  We actively promote diversity through our studies of different faiths and cultures. Religious Education lessons and PSHCE lessons reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others. Children and families of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge and to be proud of their faith.