British Values

Promoting British Values at Tividale 

British Values has always been a key part of the work we do at Tividale to ensure our children become valuable and fully rounded members of society.  They learn to treat others with respect and tolerance, regardless of background.  We promote on a daily basis, the basic British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs.

The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated by the Prime Minister this year.

British Values have always underpinned our curriculum in school, and opportunities for learning in this is apparent in all areas across school.  To continue to highlight the importance of this, and to further develop the governments requirements, a new programme of assemblies are being introduced in assembly to cover the key areas.

At Tividale, these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy:

Democracy is evident everywhere within our school.  Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our Pupil Council and Pupil questionnaires.  The elections of school councillors are based solely on the democratic process with children giving speeches and elections then occurring.  In many lessons, issues and learning focus areas are debated widely and incorporate pupil voice as children and staff work together to ensure learning and progress.  

The Rule of Law:

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular class assemblies and in SMSC sessions, as well as when discussing behaviour and through whole school assemblies.  Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.  Visits from authorities such as the Police; Fire Service; Ambulance Service etc. are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.  Pupils are involved in deciding class rules and pupil charters linked to anti-bullying and SMSC outcomes.

Individual Liberty:

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.  As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safety, through of provision of a safe environment and empowering education.  Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and SMSC sessions.  Whether it be through choice of challenge or activity,  how they record learning, or, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices and to respect the decisions and choices of others.

Mutual Respect:

Part of our school ethos and assembly provision, is centred around Core Values such as ‘Relationships’, and pupils are part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how respect is shown.  Posters around the school promote respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our behaviour policy.  Pupils will challenge each other when not showing respect and encourage each other to be respectful.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:

This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity.  Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and at other opportunities across the curriculum.  Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge and demonstrate practices, to enhance learning within classes and the school.  Our curriculum and assembly provision gives the opportunity to ensure that all faiths and beliefs are valued.  Through our RE curriculum, which teaches the main faiths and focuses upon learning about religion and learning from religion, we promote tolerance of the beliefs of others.

The opportunities provided for our children as outlined above ensure that our children understand the importance of respect and are fully prepared for life in modern Britain.