British Values
As a school, we have the responsibility to provide for the spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development of our pupils. Part of this requirement means that we actively promote the fundamental British Values. The fundamental British Values are defined as:
- Democracy
- The Rule of Law
- Individual Liberty
- Mutual Respect and Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs.
Promoting these British Values is now a central part of teaching and learning. By doing this, we aim to make children well-rounded members of society. These British Values are promoted throughout the curriculum, across the whole school. They are also seen in our school ethos and policies, assemblies and special events and cultural celebrations. Below are some examples of how each of the British Values are promoted at The Hall.
Democracy
We aim to promote this British Value by demonstrating how democracy works by discussion, decision-making and voting. For example:
- Voting for members of our school council.
- Voting for year 6 house captains.
- Having debates in lessons, such as RE and English.
- Providing opportunities for children to vote for the class story at the end of the day.
- Encouraging children to know that their views count and their opinions are important – for example, following the children’s interests for activities.
- Encouraging children to see their role in the ‘bigger picture’, e.g. linking to part of a family, class, group, school, community etc.
The Rule of Law
We aim to promote this British Value by demonstrating a need for rules and laws to keep us safe and happy. For example:
- Encouraging adults and children to work together to create group rules. Discussing the need for rules and how they should be administered fairly, e.g. the need for rules to keep everyone safe and happy.
- Teaching children to understand their own and others’ behaviour and feelings, and the consequences.
- Encouraging and supporting children to learn how to distinguish right from wrong.
Individual Liberty
We aim to promote this British Value by individual freedoms to choose faiths, beliefs and likes/dislikes. For example:
- Providing opportunities for children to develop their self-esteem and confidence in their own abilities, e.g. by sharing achievements and successes and promoting independence.
- Encouraging children to develop a positive sense of themselves.
- Providing opportunities for children to choose their own activities, e.g. during wet play times and golden time.
- Providing a wide range of lunchtime and after school clubs for children to choose from.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs
We aim to promote this British Value by demonstrating respect and tolerance towards other beliefs and faiths. For example:
- Providing opportunities for the children to make links with the wider community, for example outings to local places, visits to a variety of places of worship and inviting speakers to lead assemblies.
- Working together to create an environment that includes, values and promotes different faiths, cultures, views and races. Weekly RE lessons, assemblies and our SCARF (Safety, Caring, Achievement, Resilience, Friendship) RHE programme all contribute to this.
- Providing children with the opportunities to learn about other faiths, cultures, traditions, families, communities and ways of life. For example, children are encouraged to talk about their festivals, special days, religious practices and traditions.