Hawkedon Primary School

BRITISH VALUES

The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, encompassing values of:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect and Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

At Hawkedon, we ensure that these values are introduced, discussed and realised through our Values Based Education philosophy as well as through the Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural development of our pupils. All curriculum areas provide a vehicle for furthering understanding of these concepts and, in particular, our PSHE, RE and book study lessons, as well as assemblies, provide opportunities to deepen and develop understanding.

We are committed to preparing our pupils for life in modern Britain; our aims for this are to:

• enable students to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence;
• enable students to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England;
• encourage students to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and to society more widely;
• enable students to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England;
• further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling students to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures;
• encourage respect for other people; and
• encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England.

At Hawkedon, we actively promote British Values in the following ways:

Democracy

• At the beginning of each school year, pupils discuss the importance of rules and why we have them; they contribute towards a class charter
• Elections are held each year for VbE Parliament and House Captains, showing democracy in action
• Pupil questionnaires give children the opportunity to voice their opinions and ideas
• Planed debates allow children to discuss their views around relevant topics
• The principle of democracy is explored in the History curriculum as well as in assemblies

Rule of Law

• School rules and expectations are clear, fair and regularly promoted
• Pupils are always helped to distinguish right from wrong in all areas of school life
• Our behaviour policy is clearly structured and children are encouraged to reflect on the impact of their behaviours
• Visits from the Police and Fire Service
• Children explore the concept of rule of law in assemblies and PSHE lessons

Individual liberty

• Pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.
• Pupils are supported to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour and our pastoral support reinforces the importance of making the right choices.
• Pupils have key roles and responsibilities in school e.g. lunchtime helpers
• The concept of individual liberty is explored in the PSHE and RE curriculum as well as in assemblies and book study lessons

Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

• Respect is one of our 7 core values; this is embodied by all members of the school community and is deeply embedded in to our ethos
• Pupils are helped to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life.
• Through the PSHE and RE curriculums, as well as assemblies,  pupils are encouraged to discuss and respect differences between people such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, gender or sexuality and differences of family situations.
• We offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which all major religions are studied and respected
• We work closely with pupils to help them understand their place in a culturally diverse society