British Values
British Values
At Featherstone Primary, we value the diverse backgrounds of all pupils, staff and families and
undertake a variety of events and lessons
to celebrate these throughout the year. We teach our children to be tolerant and respectful towards others, embracing the differences in our community and the wider world. Within this, we recognise the importance of promoting fundamental ‘British Values’ as part of our school’s programme of spiritual, moral, cultural and social development.
These include the values of:
- Democracy
- The Rule of Law
- Individual Liberty
- Mutual Respect
- Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
At Featherstone, we recognise that such development is most successful when those values and attitudes are promoted by all the staff and provide a model of behaviour for our pupils.
How do we promote British Values at Featherstone Primary:
Democracy:
The ability to communicate is the most important area of learning. At Featherstone Primary School we ensure that pupils are given a ‘voice’ to communicate. The method of using this ‘voice’ could be using words, objects, photographs, pictures, symbols, touch cues, eye pointing or body language. We empower our pupils by giving them opportunities to make choices about the things that they believe to be important. By valuing each ‘voice’ and by listening and responding to that voice we demonstrate that we support democracy and liberty.
Rule of Law:
We involve pupils in setting codes of behaviour; helping pupils to make decisions and choices that are acceptable to the school community and society at large. Pupils are helped to learn to manage their behaviour and take responsibility for their actions. Staff are committed to providing a consistent and enriched learning environment within the school and beyond. We can help some pupils to understand the connection between actions and consequences. This type of environment enables pupils to feel safe and secure; this in turn, promotes the optimum conditions for learning to take place.
Individual Liberty:
Pupils at Featherstone Primary are encouraged to become good and valued citizens. We do this by supporting each pupil to become as independent as possible. We endeavour to demonstrate that everyone has rights; this includes the right to say ‘No’ to ideas or activities that they do not want to take part in. Some pupils will be able to take responsibility for particular roles and to understand that with certain rights comes a level of responsibility. Learning to do things independently is an important part of learning to understand yourself. We support others by participating in charitable events such as Red Nose Day/Comic Relief, Children in Need, Support an Orphan abroad and the distribution of food through foodbank. At Featherstone Primary we believe that by engendering a caring and helpful environment and by learning to be independent can boost and nurture a healthy self-esteem.
Mutual Respect:
We promote each pupil’s inclusion, where possible, in a range of activities, settings and locations. The children in Early Years have opportunities to integrate with other children in the school through the enrichment programme. As pupils move into the other Key Stages, further planned events and circumstances are planned for pupils to go into the community to meet with a range of people in a variety of situations which include: sports events, community functions (old people’s homes) and shared participation with other schools. It is important to facilitate opportunities for Featherstone to be part of the community as the pupils, families and staff have much to offer in the development of community cohesion.
Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs:
Featherstone Primary School serves a multi-faith community where each person is respected and valued equally without regard to ability, gender, faith, heritage or race. Cultural appreciation and development form part of our curriculum. We place great emphasis on providing encounters and participation in events and celebrations to broaden all pupils’ experiences and awareness of others. Our school values help all pupils to find out about themselves and others linking their lives to the communities to which they belong.
Pupils are encouraged to experience British Culture through our curriculum themes. For example, pupils have visited: The Palace of Westminster, War Memorials and places interest linked to British Values. The Shakespeare Theatre groups have performed plays and some pupils have taken part in ‘Hamlet’ at The Old Rep Theatre.
