In line with the Department for Education document: Promoting fundamental British values as part of SMSC in schools, department advice for maintained schools, November 2014. At The Links Primary School, we have a strong and organic culture weaved through everything that we do. We embrace and support the diversity of all at The Links and believe that we support and guide our children to become independent, open-minded and well-rounded citizens of tomorrow.
The DfE states that:
“Schools should 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”.
At The Links Primary School, we reflect these ideals though all aspects of school life. Our Links Learning Powers, clear school rules ‘Ready, Respectful and Safe’ and our belief that all children can ‘Dream, Believe and Achieve’ we ensure that we provide our children with the skills they need ready to make their contribution to British society and the wider world.
What is meant by ‘British Values?’
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect and tolerance
How can we prepare our children for adult life as citizens of Britain?
- Enable students to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence.
- Enable students to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England.
- Encourage students to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and to society more widely.
- Enable students to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England.
- Further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling students to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures;
- Encourage respect for other people.
- Encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England.
Examples of how The Links Primary School develops our children’s understanding of British Values:
Democracy
Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. Pupils also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas through our Ambassadors, regular pupil voice sessions and questionnaires.
The elections of the Ambassadors are based solely on pupil votes, reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced.
Our school has 3 rules ‘Ready, Respectful and Safe’, which are deeply embedded in our work every day. Each class also discusses and sets its own rules that are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment.
Our 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.
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 our pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an empowering education. Our 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 clearly seen in our Online Safety and P.S.H.E. lessons.
Whether it is through choice of challenge; of how they record; of participation in our numerous extra- curricular activities; our pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual Respect
Respect is at the Core of our Behaviour Policy
The pupils know and understand that it is expected and imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have and to everything, however big or small. Respect for everyone at The Links Primary School underpins our work every day both in and out of the classroom.
Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths And Beliefs
Respect ensures tolerance of those who have different faiths and beliefs.
The Links Primary School enhances pupils understanding of different faiths and beliefs through religious education studies; P.S.H.E. work; participation in celebrations such as Diwali; Chinese New Year; Eid; welcoming visitors from different Faiths; visiting cultural centres in the locality and enjoying a depth of study during themed weeks.
During Cultural weeks/days the whole school will focus on beliefs, traditions and customs of other countries and faiths. These will be studied in depth, with visitors being invited in to our school to enrich and extend understanding. Through this, our pupils gain an enhanced understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society
