British Values

The DfE have reinforced the 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.” 

The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated in 2014.  

At Rigby Hall we promote ‘British Values’ through our spiritual, moral, social and cultural education that is firmly embedded throughout our curriculum and helps to support the holistic development of all our children.

Promoting British values at our school

The Department for Education’s five-part definition of British values:

Democracy

Children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. We have a school council which meets to discuss issues raised in class. The School Council is a working example to the children of elections/representation responsibilities in practice.

Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. We encourage pupils to take ownership of not only their school but also of their own learning and progress. This encourages a heightened sense of both personal and social responsibility and is demonstrated on a daily basis by our pupils. 

Pupil voice runs through everything we do within school from planning their thematic curriculum to discussing the weekly Big Question. 

The Rule of Law

The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. 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.

Other ways the message about the rule of law is reinforced is through

Individual Liberty

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education. 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 and PSHE lessons. Participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices

 Mutual Respect

Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviour’s have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Our school is situated in an area which is not greatly culturally diverse; therefore we place an emphasis on promoting diversity with the children. Assemblies are regularly planned to address this issue either directly or through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures. Our RE and PSHE teaching reinforce this. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. Children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths.  Post 16 tend the remembrances garden at the local church and the garden at the local hospice.

At our school we will actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views. Sadly, no school can guarantee that there will never be instances which are contrary to this value. At our school, such instances are extremely rare. They are treated seriously and dealt with on an individual basis.