Promoting British Values at Hare Street
The Department for Education states that there is a 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 Department for Education defines British Values as follows:
- Respect for democracy and support or participation in the democratic process
- Respect for the basis on which the law is made and applies in England
- Support for equality of opportunity for all
- Support and respect for the liberties of all within the law
- Respect for and tolerance of different faiths and religious and other beliefs
Hare Street School reflects British values in all that we do. We aim to nurture our children on their journey through life so they can grow into safe, caring, democratic, responsible and tolerant adults who make a positive difference to British society and to the world. We encourage our children to be creative, unique, open-minded and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and of others in our school, our local community and the wider world.
Democracy
Pupils at Hare Street have the opportunity to have their voices heard through class discussions, our School Council, The Learning Council and pupil questionnaires. The election of School Council members is based on pupil votes. Members of the School Council speak to staff and governors with ideas about how the school can be improved. Subject coordinators regularly interview children to ask for feedback on their learning and this feeds into school self-evaluation and development planning.
The Rule of Law
The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, or international laws are consistently reinforced positively throughout the school during circle time and discussion, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. 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, Fire Service and other appropriate educational visits help to make this ‘real’ for the children.
Individual Liberty
Within Hare Street, 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, through the provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it be through choice of challenge, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual Respect:
Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around Core Values such as ‘Respect’, and pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. Posters around the school promote respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our behaviour policy.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Assemblies and discussions involving aspects of different religions, faiths, customs, societies and cultures as well as prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE.
Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.
The following websites may contain helpful information:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/18211612
http://www.unicef.org.uk/UNICEFs-Work/UN-Convention/
https://schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org/content/uk-home-page
http://www.projectbritain.com/