British Values Statement

The Department for Education has introduced a statutory duty for schools to promote British Values more actively from September 2014, and to ensure they are taught in schools.

Adswood Primary School is committed to serving its community. It recognises the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. It also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.

It follows equal opportunities guidance which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. Adswood Primary School is dedicated to preparing students for their adult life beyond the formal, examined curriculum ensuring that it promotes and reinforces British Values to all its pupils. The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.

The five key British Values are:

• Democracy
• The Rule of Law
• Individual Liberty
• Mutual Respect
• Tolerance of those of different Faiths and Beliefs

The school uses strategies within the National Curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for pupils. The examples that follow show some of the many ways Adswood Primary School seeks to instil British Values. We have a ‘Best of British Week’ in school which involves the community, parents/carers and we aim to create a shared deeper understanding of these values for all.

Democracy

Every child in the school has a voice.  We do not have a school council as we strongly believe that every child's voice is important. This way of selecting children ensures that all children’s views are taken into account. 

Parents/Carers are asked annually to complete a questionnaire asking them what they like about the school and what they would like to see improved. Suggestion Boxes for our parents/carers, children and staff are in the entrance hall of our school and we encourage the use of these for any suggestions they may have.

The Rule of Law

The school has a Code of Conduct which is shared with staff and children in assembly and displayed on classroom walls and around school. The school Behaviour and Discipline Policy, likewise, is regularly referred to in school assemblies and the children fully understand the consequences that will be actioned at each stage.

The school has an excellent relationship with the local Police and Community Officers (PCSO’s) and the local constabulary, both visiting school regularly to speak to the children about the importance of law and order in the community.

Individual Liberty

The school’s Anti-Bullying Policy is made explicit to children through school assemblies and discussions in the classroom. The school has a zero tolerance to bullying and assemblies about racism, homophobia and other forms of bullying take place. Our curriculum provides teaching and learning around topics and circle time each week encourages items to be discussed in a forum.

A anti-bullying questionnaire is completed by all pupils and results analysed and intervention/sessions/assemblies planned. The InclusionTeam work closely with the class teams to ensure restorative meetings take place if an incident has occurred. Nominated ‘Restorative Captains’ have a responsibility to lead these discussions with others.

Mutual Respect

The school’s Code of Conduct is understood by children and discussed frequently in assemblies. Through our curriculum, we give our children opportunities to experience diversity. Assemblies and discussions about diversity have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE. Within school, members of different faiths or religions are also encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. This includes parents or members of the local community coming in to talk, as well as children sharing.

Tolerance of those of different Faiths and Beliefs

Collective worship with a Christian bias, takes place in school. The children have a short Christian prayer each morning. The school holds a ‘Faith Week’ when cross-curricular activities enable the children to study different faiths in depth. Families and visiting speakers from each faith enable the staff to explore each faith first-hand. Visits to a Mosque, Synagogue and a variety of Christian churches, give the children a more real and 3D experience of each of the faiths.