Promoting British Values

Promoting British Values at Alfriston School
 
 
At Alfriston, British Values are promoted in so much of what we do, not least during our school assemblies, RE, Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural education experiences, and PSHE sessions.

An understanding of democracy is developed through our School Council.  Following a vote, each class elects a School Council representative. The School Council meet at least once a month to bring to the table any issues or ideas from their class. In addition, the children are consulted about their ideas for school improvement and school policy making.

Our Vision and Values

At Alfriston, we promote our school vision ‘Fair, Friendly, Fulfilling & Fun!’ which supports the children to develop and demonstrate the skills and attitudes that will enable them to develop spiritually, morally, socially and culturally, leading them to being able to contribute fully to modern life. The vision guides our behaviour, helping us to make the right choices. They enable us to live and work happily together.

Our vision links to the British Values, namely:

  • democracy
  • the rule of law
  • individual liberty
  • mutual tolerance and respect of those with different faiths and beliefs.

All staff are involved in developing the British Values with the children through our strong school vision and our Life values. They are evident in the way that children and adults interact throughout the school and threaded throughout school life.

Democracy

Children at Alfriston play an ever-increasing role in school leadership.

  • Offering their opinions within the forums of Class, House Team and School Council discussions, every child has a voice that can be heard and that is listened to. 
  • Children nominate House Captains.
  • Play Leaders help with organising playtime and role model the looking after of equipment.
  • Year 6 Buddies look after the Reception children both in school and on the playground. 
  • The children complete a questionnaire at least once a year and, after responses have been analysed, concerns are addressed by the School Council, Headteacher and staff to find appropriate solutions.
  • Pupil voice is valued on the outcomes of the School Development Plan when the Headteacher and subject leaders canvas opinion on the effectiveness of the objectives and actions in the plan.
  • Teamwork is modelled by staff and constantly and consistently encouraged in the children. Every member is of equal importance, whatever their contribution; every voice is heard; and every opinion valued.
  • Our Behaviour Policy proactively rewards considerate and collaborate action – whether in class, on the playground or around the school. 
  • We endeavour to instil in every child the knowledge that however small they are, they have the ability to make a difference.
  • Issues of democracy in the world beyond school are focused upon in an age-appropriate manner and parallels are drawn with life in school.   

Rule of Law

  • Alongside our school vision, the importance of ‘laws’ to govern the class, school or country are upheld as important. They are reinforced daily in the general running of the school as well as in behaviour management.
  • The values and reasons behind the laws, as well as the ways in which they govern and protect us, are made apparent.
  • Each class democratically decides their own class rules within the boundaries of our whole School Charter and Behaviour Policy.
  • Visits from people in authority reinforce the need for rules e.g. PCSO, HM Coastguard, Fire service. 

Individual Liberty

  • Within school, children are actively encouraged to make choices, whilst knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.
  • Making the right choices and being forgiven and enabled to try again, when they make the wrong ones, underpins our behaviour management strategies.
  • Within set boundaries, children are educated to make choices safely through the provision of an empowering education offering extensive opportunities.
  • Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely e.g. through  online safety, PSHE and SMSC education. 
  • Whether it be through choice of level of challenge; of how to record an answer; of who to work/play with; of what to have for lunch; or which of our extra-curricular opportunities to take part in, the children are encouraged and given the freedom to make a choice and supported in living with it.
  • In this way, it is our aim that our children will be able to evaluate the society in which they live and to make the informed, independent choices of good citizens.

Mutual Respect

  • Mutual respect is one of the core values that underpin every aspect of life in our school.
  • All staff treat each other and the children in our care with respect. 
  • We endeavour to respect and value one another’s person, property and opinions - even and especially when it is different to our own.
  • Respect underpins every aspect of our classroom and school rules, as well as our Behaviour policy.

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

  • Although as a school we have a lower than average number of minority groups represented, we fully appreciate the importance of enhancing pupils’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and giving them opportunities to experience that diversity.
  • Collective Worship, our school vision and PSHE work emphasise tolerance and proactively and successfully educate against any form of prejudice or prejudice-based bullying, about which we are constantly vigilant.
  • Representatives of different faiths and religions visit our school and share their experience in open and respectful discussion which enhances both knowledge and understanding.
  • Educational visits to our own and contrasting places of worship are actively encouraged.
  • Resource collections – books and artefacts – are used for the six major religions practised in Britain.
  • The school is fully compliant with the expectations of the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) set out in clause 149 of the Equality Act 2010 and Governors review progress against our Equality Objectives and Action Plan annually.
  • At Alfriston we will actively challenge pupils, staff, governors or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.