How does Upton St Leonards C of E Primary School promote British Values?

The DFE states that there is a need “to create and enforce a clear and vigorous expectation for 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 Upton St Leonards we are dedicated to promoting values which ensure our pupils develop a strong sense of social and moral responsibility which will prepare them for life in modern Britain. Here are some of the ways we promote these values. 

Democracy        

The School values pupil voice and the role pupils have in bringing about improvements. Children are asked about their learning, their concerns and ideas about how to make things better. At the start of the year, children vote for their nominated House Captains, Eco Reps and Council representatives through an election process. The School Council meets regularly to discuss their contribution to school life and the wider community. The children vote in classrooms on many decisions from which book to read to which fundraising idea to adopt to raise money for one of our chosen charities. The School council choose a local charity, a national charity and an international charity which they support over the year. This develop the children’s understanding of empathy and understanding.

Children in Year 4 take part in the online pupil survey every other year. This information is shared with the school community and enables us to focus our lessons during PSHE.

Pupil voice surveys and questionnaires are built into our Moderation cycle Governors monitor these and we evaluate them in a report outlining next steps.

Our Spiritual Garden was designed with the ideas of the children fully integrated into the finished garden.

The Rule of Law

The school has a comprehensive Positive Behaviour policy which sets out clear expectations and outlines the expected behaviour of pupils during the day. At the start of the year each class discusses and sets its own Charter (based on the UNICEF Rights Respecting School Programme), which is clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment. During PSHCE lesson and Collective Worship children learn about the importance of having rules and how these relate to laws. We use a range of PSHCE resources to promote moral, spiritual, social and cultural awareness among our pupils. Our children have a well-developed sense of justice and are able to discuss why there needs to be consequences for those who break the rules or laws. They understand that if they do not uphold our bronze expectations there are sanctions where they will be asked to reflect on their behaviour and the consequences for those around them.  Our Values for Life scheme, which we follow as a Church School, guides and supports children in developing a clear understanding of how our actions can impact upon others. Visits from other authorities, such as the Police and the Fire Service, help to reinforce the message.

Individual Liberty

Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Through the provision of a safe, supportive and nurturing environment, we provide boundaries for our children to make choices safely. Here are some ways in which we do this:

•          Choices about what learning challenge or activity to do.
•          Choices around the participation in extra-curricular activities.
•          Choices about lunchtime options. 

Our Behaviour Policy is built on the principle that children are responsible for their own actions and choices and that these have consequences. The school provides a reflection time where pupils who have amber or red misbehaviours can think about the impact of their choices. During PSHCE, E-Safety lessons and Collective Worship, pupils are taught how to keep themselves safe whilst they exercise their rights and personal freedoms. Safeguarding is embedded in every aspect of life at school.

Mutual Respect and Tolerance 

Adults actively model respect with one another and with the children. This is shown through how we speak to and treat one another. Through our curriculum, we promote an awareness of different faiths and we encourage our pupils to recognise and understand these faiths. Our pupils naturally show tolerance for others and have a curiosity to find out and understand cultures and faiths that are different from their own. 

British Values through the Curriculum

Planned opportunities to teach the values of our society are interwoven into the curriculum. Here are some examples:

PSHCE: How we influence democracy is explored through PSHCE and Collective Worship. The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school, or the country, is consistently reinforced at Upton St Leonards. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely.

Geography: We ensure that children have a better understanding of Britain through learning more about its capital cities: “Bright Lights, Big City”, its rivers and mountains, where Britain is in relation to the rest of Europe and other countries in the world.

History: We ensure that children develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British and local history. They should know how Britain has influenced and been influenced by the wider world, whilst recognizing the lives of significant individuals and specific events.

Music: The study of British composers and their influence worldwide.

Art: The study of how British artists influence others around the world.

Religious, Moral & Spiritual Education: Gaining a greater understanding of religious diversity and practice. Planning for the subject is directed by the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) – Gloucestershire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education. Upton St Leonards C of E Primary School actively promotes diversity through celebrations of different faiths and cultures.

Physical Education: Promotion of the concept of “fair play” through following and developing rules, inclusion, celebrating and rewarding success, being magnanimous in defeat and participation in activities that promote kinship and affiliation with others.

Computing: Children are taught about respect and bullying in the online world through online safety lessons interwoven into the curriculum.

Pupil Leadership: This is taught through the promotion of democratic processes, fostering the concept and application of freedom of speech and group action to address needs and concerns. School Captains and Vice Captains are appointed through an interview process with the Senior Leadership Team and School Council representatives from Year 1 to Year 6 are elected in class. The School council meets regularly to consider aspects of school life, fundraising for our chosen charities and involvement in the wider community e.g Village Day

Educational Visits: Our broad range of educational visits and experiences outside of the classroom, equip children with the skills to make a positive contribution to their community. Recent visits have included the SS Great Britain, Goodrich Castle. Visitors to school also contribute to the children’s understanding of the wider world.

Community Events: We encourage our children to take part in organised events and activities outside of school. Our School choir recently performed in the Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts. These events are well supported by families and the community.