The Department for Education states that there is a need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on 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.”

The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy and these values were reiterated by the Prime Minister in 2014. At Mapperley Plains Primary school, these values are entrenched in our ethos, policies and practices.

Democracy

Democracy is embedded in school. We respect the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. We work hard towards putting pupils at the heart of the decision making process in school. School Council meetings take place every fortnight. Class decisions and ideas feed into the School Council. School Councillors are elected by their peers, reflecting the British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action.

As part of the focus on self-confidence and self-awareness as cited in Personal, Social and Emotional Development:

We encourage children to see their role in the bigger picture, encouraging children to know their views count, value each other’s views and values and talk about their feelings, for example when they do or do not need help. 

We support the decisions that children make and provide activities that involve turn-taking, sharing and collaboration. Children are given opportunities to develop enquiring minds in an atmosphere where questions are valued

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country are enforced consistently. Each class discusses and adopts its own rules which are understood clearly by all to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment. 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.

We encourage and promote excellent behaviour, attitude and work through positive praise, formally and informally, and rewards such as stickers, merits, the class star competition, certificates, Class points as part of PE lessons with coaches. Children’s achievements are also recognised formally during ‘Achievement’ and ‘Celebration’ Assemblies.

As part of the focus on managing feelings and behaviour:

We ensure that children understand their own and others’ behaviour and its consequences, and learn to distinguish right from wrong.

We work with children to create the rules and the codes of behaviour, for example, to agree the rules about tidying up in F1 and ensure that all children understand rules apply to everyone.

Individual Liberty

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. We educate and provide boundaries for our pupils to make the right choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely; examples of this can be seen in our e safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it is through choice of challenge; how they record; of participation in extra-curricular activities; pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

We provide opportunities for children to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and increase their confidence in their own abilities, for example through allowing children to take risks on an obstacle course, mixing colours, talking about their experiences and learning.

Mutual Respect

Respect is deeply embedded in all that we do in school. Children know and understand what is expected. It is imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have. The core value of respect underpins all aspects of our work.

We create an ethos of inclusivity and tolerance where views, faiths, cultures and races are valued and children are engaged with the wider community.

Children learn about similarities and differences between themselves and others and among families, faiths, communities, cultures and traditions and share and discuss practices, celebrations and experiences.

We encourage and explain the importance of tolerant behaviours such as sharing and respecting other’s opinions.

We promote diverse attitudes and challenge stereotypes, for example, sharing stories that reflect and value the diversity of children’s experiences and providing resources and activities that challenge gender, cultural and racial stereotyping

Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs

This is achieved through embracing pupils’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society. We provide the opportunity for pupils to enhance their understanding of different faiths and beliefs through the curriculum for RE, which follows the Nottinghamshire SACRE curriculum. Children will study major religions and be made aware of the belief sets of each. Collective worship and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by work in RE and PSHE. Work in the curriculum will enable children to understand and accept beliefs, traditions and customs to gain an enhanced understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society.