At Pondhu Primary School we are fully committed to promoting British Values in line with recent DfE recommendations and the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 to keep children safe and prepare them for life in modern Britain. We promote fundamental British Values.
We do this through our relationships with the children, our relationships with each other, our RE curriculum, our PHSE curriculum and regular assemblies. The exploration of the values may also come through the choice of resources within other subject areas and interaction with current affairs through discussion.
The Department for Education defines British Values as follows:
- Democracy
- The Rule of Law
- Individual Liberty
- Mutual Respect
- Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
Democracy
- The principle of democracy is explored during assemblies, in the wider curriculum and is embedded throughout the PSHE/Jigsaw scheme of work.
- All children are encouraged to debate topics of interest, express their views and make a meaningful contribution to class discussions.
- Our school has an active school parliament, elected by the pupils who ensure their class voice is heard.
- Parliament play a key role in fundraising and organising school events.
- Children also have the opportunity to have their voices heard through pupil questionnaires and surveys.
The Rule of Law
- We have high expectations about pupil conduct and this is reflected in our Behaviour Policy.
- We use Class Dojo as a whole school reward system which is linked to our school golden rules.
- The Behaviour, E-Safety and Anti-Bullying policies set out a zero tolerance baseline for any form of aggression, abuse or violence, which extends to pupils, staff and parents/carers.
- Our 6 golden rules are integral to the learning and ethos of our school. There are clear rewards and sanctions in place at our school and a weekly celebration assembly which rewards outstanding contributions made by children. These awards are linked to our school rules and are shared in our weekly newsletter.
Individual Liberty
- Pupils are supported to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence. They are taught about personal responsibility, choices, ambition and aspiration. Pupils are encouraged to take opportunities to follow their interests in art, music, sport.
- Pupils are taught about the importance of making the right choices and are encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour and actions.
- Children are taught how to keep themselves safe, including on-line. This is through computing lessons, assemblies and outside organisations e.g. Stay Safe, as well as through the PSHE curriculum.
- Vulnerable pupils are protected and stereotypes challenged. A strong anti-bullying culture is embedded in the school; any form of bullying is challenged and addressed. The school also operates a robust system of logging incidents using CPOMS.
- Pupils have key roles and responsibilities in school e.g. librarians, school parliament members and playtime mentors.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
- Through daily practice, pupils know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone: adults and children.
- The curriculum ensures that pupils are helped to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life.
- Staff and pupils are encouraged to challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour.
- In English, the children study a range of texts which are written by a diversity of authors and include diverse characters.
- Through the PSHE and RE curriculums 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.
- Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudiced-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in e-safety, RE and PSHE.
- We use the Jigsaw scheme of learning to deliver our PSHE curriculum. This mindful approach encourages children to work together to celebrate difference and encourage tolerance.
