Our Values are British Values
The Department for Education has introduced a statutory duty for schools to promote British Values more actively, and to ensure they are taught in schools.
At Grainthorpe Junior School, we are committed to serving our community. We recognise the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. We also understand the vital role it has in ensuring that groups of individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.
We follow equal opportunities guidance which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. Our school is dedicated to preparing children for their adult life beyond the formal curriculum and ensure that we promote and reinforce British values with all our pupils.
The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent strategy.
The five key British Values are:
Our school uses strategies within the curriculum and beyond, to secure such outcomes for students. The following examples show some of the many ways Grainthorpe Junior School seeks to instil British Values.
Democracy
- School Council - making decisions on a regular basis re: policies, child-friendly safeguarding information, behaviour system, involved in the interview process, fundraising events etc.
- Pupil surveys include questions such as 'How could we make the school better?'
- Annual parent questionnaires, which asks for three key areas of strength and areas to develop.
- Governor involvement in decision making process.
- Democracy is taught through the curriculum. Pupil voice has an influence upon much that goes on or is decided, within our school.
- Origins of democracy in UKS2 when learning about Ancient Greece
- Pupils are given the opportunity to give their viewpoint throughout the curriculum daily; they are invited to listen to alternative viewpoints and accept/respect there may be differences.
- Agreement of Class Rules annually.
- Voting by the children for School Councillors and Team Captains by secret ballot.
- In English, pupils debate several topics which give them the opportunity to influence the opinions of others and use a democratic process to express their views.
The Rule of Law
- Strong behaviour system in place.
- Class rules are established with pupils and referred to daily.
- Working with our local community to be proactive about local community issues.
- Home/School Agreement.
- 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. These values are reinforced in different ways:
- Visits from authorities such as the police and fire service
- Bikeability lessons enable children to understand the rules of the road and the potential dangers encountered should they break those rules.
- During Religious Education, rules for particular faiths are thought about
- During other school subjects, there is respect and appreciation for different rules
Tolerance Of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
- Each child belongs to a house and can earn points for their houses. This encourages them to support their team and be supportive of others.
- Children celebrate several festivals over the school year such as Diwali, Chinese New Year, Harvest Festival and even through our lunchtime menu. We celebrate diversity through dance in PE, religious beliefs throughout History, how religion has travelled around the globe with invaders and settlers.
- In Geography, we locate a range of different countries to look at their natural and man-made features and discuss their ways of life.
- In RE lessons, we investigate different festivals and celebrations in all religions, creation stories and their beliefs and traditions.
- Our curriculum celebrates diversity and integration with other faiths/beliefs.
- In Music, we consider music from cultures around the world.
- In English, we read texts from a range of cultures and background and themes from around the world.
- Celebrating cultural differences through assemblies, themed weeks, noticeboards and displays.
- We are encouraged to share faiths and beliefs within school.
- Children are aware there are those who are suffering in the world through disadvantage, illness or disability.
- Our support for charitable organisations promotes global advocacy.
Mutual Respect
- Peer marking - offer suggestions to each other, in a sensitive and constructive way to support moving their work forward.
- Cross Class communication of achievements (through whole school assemblies).
- Peer mentoring - pupils support each other in their learning. They listen to one another and respect each other's opinions.
- In PSHE, we consider our own individuality and how different communities, religious groups and cultures can come together and learn from each other, and how we should appreciate them. We understand the value the differences and commonalities between people, respecting the rights of others to have beliefs and values different to their own.
- Art and Design children challenge themselves to improve, reflecting on their own work and that of others in a respectful and kind environment. The children work collaboratively to make larger-scale projects and learn to share their ideas confidently whilst benefiting from the views, experiences and opinions of others.
Individual Liberty
- Children know they all have the right to learn and grow in confidence. They understand their opinion matters and is valued. They are taught to listen to and respect other peoples’ opinions and values.
- This is taught daily through lessons, turn-taking, group and whole-class discussions, teamwork and collaborative tasks.
- Around school, we display lots of our children’s work across the curriculum.
- Many children have key roles and responsibilities, for example: School Council, Library Monitors, Tech Team, Playground Monitors etc.
- Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are taught how to exercise these safely, such as in our PSHE lessons.
- Strong behaviour policy based on rights and responsibilities.
- Anti-bullying policy.
- Open and honest culture.
- Open door policy for parents/guardians to discuss worries or concerns.
- Strong pastoral team to support friendship issues/any issues individuals may need support with.
- Increasing opportunities for a wide range of choices for extra-curricular activities.
A member of the Fenland Federation of Schools with Marshchapel Infants School