British Values

 

How We Promote British Values

At Hornsea Burton and Skipsea Primary Federation, we are committed to promoting the fundamental British values that underpin life in modern Britain. We believe these values are essential in helping our children become respectful, responsible and active members of their communities.

The Department for Education identifies five fundamental British values:

  • Democracy

  • The rule of law

  • Individual liberty

  • Mutual respect

  • Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

These values are embedded throughout our school ethos, curriculum and everyday experiences. We actively encourage our children to develop an understanding of their rights and responsibilities, celebrate diversity, respect different perspectives and recognise the importance of fairness and equality.

British values are promoted through a wide range of opportunities, including:

  • Assemblies, particularly through Picture News, which encourages children to explore current events, share opinions and reflect on the world around them.

  • Our curriculum, including PSHE, Religious Education, History and Geography, where children learn about different cultures, beliefs, communities and democratic processes.

  • Pupil voice, providing opportunities for children to express their views, contribute to decisions and take responsibility within school life.

  • Our school culture, where positive relationships, kindness, inclusion and mutual respect are actively encouraged and modelled.

  • Everyday experiences, where children learn to make responsible choices, understand boundaries, resolve disagreements and appreciate the views of others.

Through these experiences, we aim to ensure that every child feels valued, respected and empowered to make a positive contribution to society.

Together we learn and succeed.

 
 

  • Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council and pupil questionnaires. Children in each class vote for the children they want to represent them on School Council and children in Y5/6 are nominated to be House Captains.

    Children are consulted and contribute to the development of school policies, for example our behaviour policy and the key rules.

    In addition, children have first-hand experience of democratic processes such as:

    • Voting for School Council

    • Voting for House Captains

    • Assemblies (especially with Picture News debates)

  • The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are

    consistently reinforced throughout children’s time at school, as well as when dealing with behaviour

    and through school assembly themes.

    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. Our behaviour policy is based on principles of respect, responsibility and fairness. When children make wrong choices, we use principles of Restorative Practice to help children to understand the impact of their actions upon

    others. Visits from authorities such as the Police, PCSO’s, RNLI and Fire Service help reinforce this message.

  • 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, through 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 PSHE lessons. Pupils are given the freedom to

    make choices, for example signing up for lunchtime and extra-curricular clubs and choosing their level of challenge in some lessons.

  • The development of mutual respect is a core part of the school’s message and practice. All adults

    who work in school model respect to the children and in return expect it to be reciprocated. Indeed

    respect for others, permeates through the entire working of the school so that children learn to

    value the rights of all. Children are given many opportunities to work alongside other children so

    that they learn that all people have valuable and valid contributions to make. These opportunities

    include, School Council, Play Leaders, working with children from other classes and working with

    children from other year groups during House Activities. Children are able to show their

    appreciation for others through the use of special certificates e.g., Jigsaw certificate - children

    nominated are congratulated during our Friday ‘Time to Shine Assembly’.

  • As the school’s community has limited ethnic and religious representation, we understand the

    importance of helping children to understand, value and respect diversity. Consequently, our Long

    Term curriculum plan identifies opportunities for children to broaden their horizons. Children are

    taught how their community relates to contrasting localities in both Britain and the wider world,

    through their study of PE, Computing, Science, Technology, Music, RE, PSHCE, History, Geography,

    Music, Art, Literature and Mathematics.

    Wherever possible, cultural aspects are woven into the curriculum our children cover. For example, through inviting members of other ethnic groups in to school to share dance, art or food. Those children who are from ethnic minorities are encouraged to share their experiences with children, who listen with interest and respect.

    Children listen to music from around the world, are also shown video clips, photographs and

    artefacts to extend their knowledge and understanding. These images are selected to stimulate

    discussion about differences and similarities and also to challenge stereotypes.

    Assembly themes can be used to focus children on different aspects of their cultural heritage and are taught to value other cultures around the world. The school has well established links with a number of charities.