British Values
British Values Statement 2021-22
At Buglawton Primary School we are fortunate that our pupils, their families, our staff and other partners represent a diverse range of home backgrounds. We teach topics which link with the national curriculum and also ensure that we incorporate the interests of pupils and support them in becoming good local, national and global citizens of the future.
The Department for Education states that there is a 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”.
Our school reflects British values in all that we do. We nurture our pupils on their journey through life so they grow into caring, responsible and tolerant adults who make a positive difference to British society and to the wider world. We encourage them to be creative, unique, open-minded and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and others in our school, our local community and beyond.
At Buglawton Primary School, we actively promote British values in the following ways:
Democracy
The school has an active School Council, made up of democratically elected pupils, who meet each half-term and inform decision-making around the school. Pupils also democratically vote for the school’s Head Boy and Girl matching the British Electoral Process. Surveys of pupils, parents, and staff are carried out annually to gather opinions about all aspects of the school, and results influence the school improvement plan. Pupils are encouraged to debate topics of interest, express their views, and make a meaningful contribution to the running of the school. They are able to do this in a number of ways e.g. curriculum planning; school council; questionnaires and surveys; and assemblies. As part of our SMSC, assemblies and form time lessons, pupils are given general knowledge of public institutions and services and how these are held to account. In all lessons, students are encouraged to express and argue their points of view in an atmosphere of respect.
Rule of Law
We have a clear positive behaviour policy which helps pupils to make good choices about their behaviour. Pupils are helped to distinguish right from wrong, in the classroom, during assemblies and in the playground. Pupils are encouraged to respect the law and Buglawton Primary School enjoys visits from services such as the Police, Fire and Ambulance services to help reinforce the message.
Individual Liberty
At school, pupils are encouraged and given the freedom to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment, e.g. challenging themselves in their learning. Pupils are shown through our school’s ethos that they can demonstrate the qualities of our bees to success: Be ready and willing to learn; Be determined and resilient; Be reflective; Be resourceful and independent; Be a cooperative team player; Be curious and inquisitive. Pupils are taught to understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms in a safe way, e.g. PSHE lessons. Pupils have the opportunity to take responsibilities including Reading and Playground Buddies.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs
Pupils understand that respect is shown to everyone, both adults and children within the school, the community and the wider world. Pupils are encouraged to ‘love where we live’ and to understand, respect and celebrate the diversity of people living within the area. We help them to develop an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures through focused assemblies. Links with local faith communities and visits to places of worship is promoted and people from different faiths are invited to the school to share their experiences in assemblies and in class. Through the PSHE and RE curriculum, pupils are encouraged to discuss and respect differences and similarities between people.