Promoting British Values at Brookland
The DfE have recently 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 have been reiterated by the Prime Minister.
At Brookland these values are reinforced regularly in the following ways:
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 young pupils to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education.
Pupils are encouraged to understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms, for example through our Online Safety and PSHE lessons.
Whether it be through choice of challenge, or through participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual Respect
Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around Core Christian Values and pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown.
Information and displays around the school promote respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our behaviour policy.
Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs
This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity.
Collective Worship and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE.
Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.
Democracy
Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our Pupil Council and pupil questionnaires. They are encouraged to work together and listen to the views of others, learning how to work together for the good of everybody. Pupils also cover democracy as part of their history and PSHE curriculum.
Parents and staff have the same opportunities to share their voice.
All staff and parents are involved in contributing to the school and the improvements it makes.
The Rule of Law
The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school or the country are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through collective worship.
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.
You can find out more about the government’s ‘Prevent’ strategy by clicking here