British Values

The Government set out its definition of British Values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy and these values have been reiterated by the Prime Minister this year. The DfE has recently reinforced the need ‘to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values.’

These are:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect
• Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.

At Osbaldwick Primary Academy we are committed to serving our community and local area. We model and consistently reinforce British Values in the following ways:

• We actively promote values, virtues and ethics that shape our pupils’ character and moral perspective.
• We ensure that through our school vision, ethos, agreed rules, curriculum and teaching we promote respect and tolerance for all cultures, faiths and lifestyles. “Religious, personal and social education, effective assemblies and the work of the school council strongly develop pupils’ appreciation of different cultures and awareness of democracy and the values of modern British society. “ Ofsted 2014
• Our school’s curriculum has strong links to British History and reflects modern British culture i.e. events in the life of our Royal Family, major events in our country such as the Tour De France, the London Olympics and the elections to Parliament, as well as recognising people who are important in British History, like Queen Victoria, Henry VIII and William Wiberforce and events and historical landmarks and issues like Magna Carta, and the Abolition of Slavery
• We ensure that British values are not only taught but lived through the school’s ethos and values.

Democracy

Democratic values are an explicit part of the ethos at Osbaldwick. All adults listen to the views of the pupils and value their opinions. Pupils have further opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council and Pupil Voice surveys. The elections of School Council are the result of pupil votes and all of these groups seek the opinions of their peers.

The Rule of Law

The importance of rules, routines and laws are consistently reinforced in our school, in the classrooms as well as through school assemblies. Pupils are taught to understand the need for laws – they are there for the protection of individuals, the responsibilities that this involves for other people and the consequences when laws are broken. Pupils follow a Positive Behaviour Policy and clearly understand the place of rewards and sanctions and why they are used. Assemblies and discussions in our classrooms focus on recognising good from bad, right from wrong and visits from the local Police, Fire Service and other services help us to reinforce these messages.

Individual Liberty

Pupils are encouraged to be independent thinkers and learners, constantly making choices wisely, within a safe and supportive environment. Developing their self-esteem and self-confidence is very important and Osbaldwick provides a variety of opportunities where these can be developed such as play-leading and supporting younger pupils and taking responsibilities as monitors at lunchtime and in assemblies. Pupils are encouraged to understand their personal freedoms and are taught how to use these rights to best effect. All pupils are keen to support those less fortunate, through charity fund-raising, whether local, national or global. They are taught about having an awareness of others and a real consideration for others through our Religious Education curriculum and PSHE lessons where they learn to make informed choices and take greater responsibility for their own behaviour, learning, health and environment. E-safety teaching enables pupils to make knowing they are in a safe and supportive environment.

Mutual Respect

Our school’s ethos, Behaviour Policy and assemblies are based on constantly promoting respect for others and the importance of making right choices, as well as the promotion of good manners. All pupils are taught the importance of self-respect, trust, honesty, care for and open communication with others and of fair play. Discussions and assemblies focus on how respect builds upon trust , honesty and care and how they are shown as core values of the school. This is demonstrated when pupils work collaboratively and value each other’s’ ideas and opinions.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Pupils are reminded of their place in a culturally diverse society. This is achieved through our Religious Education and PSHCE curriculum which help to develop awareness and appreciation of others and promote diversity – spiritually, morally, socially, and culturally. As part of this, we study the similarities and differences between World Faiths and pupils are given the opportunity to visit places of worship. We welcome members of different cultures, faiths and religions into school to share their beliefs and practices in order to remove barriers and to enhance learning.