Promoting British Values at English Martyrs Catholic Primary School
The DfE reinforced the 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 in 2014. At English Martyrs these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy
Each year the children decide upon their school councillor.
The School Council meet every fortnight with Senior Leaders in the school to discuss school improvement and issues that have been raised. The School Council have their own budget and is genuinely able to effect change within the school. Classes vote every child on the School Council in.
We also have Playground Buddies and a green team. The Playground Buddies are trained to support the younger children in the school during lunchtime. The whole school has the responsibility of ensuring that we are ‘eco friendly’. We try to recycle and to minimise our waste as much as possible.
Children have an annual questionnaire where they are able to put forward their views about the school.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at English Martyrs.
Pupils are taught from an early age the rules of the school. These are our Golden Rules, Playground Rules, classroom rules and our school values. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Peer Mediators are trained to help children on the playground follow rules and overcome difficulties and friendship problems. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty
At English Martyrs, 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 informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-Safety and PSHE lessons. The children learn how to stay safe online and we have launched Digital Leaders scheme with Childnet (2018).
Mutual Respect
Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect. This is central to our school Promises and Rewards as part of our behaviour policy.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
English Martyrs is a Catholic faith school. We actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures. Religious Education lessons and PSHE lessons reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others. Members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. The children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths.