British Values and SMSC

Teaching The Fundamental British Values at Woodfield Primary School

At Woodfield Primary School, we pride ourselves on helping all pupils to develop the necessary skill, attitudes and knowledge needed for living in Modern Britain. We ensure that the fundamental British Values of:

-Mutual respect for and the tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs or for those without faith,

-Individual Liberty,

-Democracy and

-Rule of Law

are introduced, discussed, taught and lived through our evolving learning community. The teaching of the fundamental British values is central to all areas of the curriculum. In particular, our PSHCE and RE lessons provide pupils with excellent opportunities to deepen and develop their understanding. At Woodfield Primary School, these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy:

Democracy underpins a lot of the work we undertake with our pupils. Pupil voice is a crucial part of our ethos and belief that all pupils’ voices should be heard. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard though our school council, pupil voting tubes, learning walks and pupil questionnaires. Elections for school council representatives are undertaken in each class. Pupils are always able to voice their opinions and we foster an environment where they are safe to disagree with each other.

The Rule of Law:

The importance of Laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, is reinforced through our curriculum as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. The school’s behaviour and pastoral ethos has at its core the principle of making the correct choices in life and adhering to key beliefs of being friendly, kind, committed, proud and fair. 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. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.

Individual Liberty:

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices knowing they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for pupils to make choices safely. 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 lessons. Whether it is through choice of challenge, of how they record work, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect:

Respect is consistently and frequently discussed with the children through circle time, assemblies, school councils and sporting events. Our behaviour and pastoral ethos is based on ensuring all children respect one another and can value everyone as individuals.

Tolerance of those 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. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSCHE.

The curriculum.

Staff regularly review the curriculum to ensure that it promotes the areas above. It also ensures that pupils are taught about key events and figures in history. Events during the year celebrate culturally diverse occasions and memorable events taking place in the country.

At Woodfield Primary School we will actively challenge children, staff or parents who express opinions that are contrary to fundamental British values including extremist views.

SMSC at Woodfield Primary School

General Aims

At Woodfield Primary School, we recognise that the personal development of pupils, spiritually, morally, socially and culturally plays a significant part in their ability to learn and achieve. We therefore aim to provide an education that provides children with opportunities to explore and develop their own values and beliefs, spiritual awareness, high standards of personal behaviour, a positive caring attitude towards themselves and others, an understanding of their social and cultural traditions and an appreciation of the diversity and richness of other cultures.

Please click on the links below to open up the British Values posters used in school

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