British Values
The DfE have recently 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 year after year.
At Ingram Road Primary School we understand that the society we live in is diverse and therefore, our curriculum and life within school reflects this. For our pupils, we aim to thread British Values through our SMSC curriculum and our day to day life at Ingram Road. Underpinning this are the values and understanding of democracy, law, liberty, respect, tolerance, tradition and heritage. The ‘Equality Act 2010’ protects all individuals from discrimination and it is the schools duty to ensure that all individuals have equal access and opportunity to all that is on offer. Funding, including that for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and disadvantaged pupils, is used to target inequalities, to ensure equality.
“We want every school to promote the basic British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs.” Lord Nash
A key part of our plan for education is to ensure children become valuable and fully rounded members of society who treat others with respect and leave school fully prepared for life in modern Britain.
British Values
- The Rule of Law
- Democracy
- Individual Liberty
- Mutual Respect
- Tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs
To do this our children will develop;
- An understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process
- An understanding that the freedom to hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law
- An acceptance that people having different faiths and beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of discriminatory behaviour
- An understanding of the importance or identifying and combating discrimination
The mission statement and aims of the school clearly reflect these values, and the whole school strives to uphold them.
Mission Statement
Our school is committed to providing a safe, secure and stimulating environment. We value and promote shared personal achievement, high standards and respect for the individual. We believe that by working together we build understanding of one another and develop the self-esteem of every individual.
This mission statement represents the principles that we strive towards at Ingram Road Primary School. Throughout our curriculum we hope to show how we translate these aims into practice.
Our School Aims
Our aims stand upon three fundamental principles;
- To provide every child with the life skills to become successful learners who reach their full potential.
- To provide a safe, supportive, stimulating and inclusive environment where every child is recognised, cared for, encouraged and valued.
- Ingram Road will actively ensure the involvement of the whole community, particularly families, who have a vital role in supporting their children’s education. This partnership will encourage healthy and positive attitudes motivating children to become life-long learners.
As a school, we value and celebrate the diverse heritages of everybody at Ingram Road. Alongside this, we value and celebrate being part of Britain. In general terms, this means that we celebrate traditions and customs in the course of the year; for example, Harvest Festival during the Autumn term and trips to the pantomime in at Christmas. We also value and celebrate national focusses, recent examples being; Macmillan Coffee Morning, Black History Month, Chinese New Year and Safer Internet Day, with many more opportunities planned in throughout the year to collaborate with the wider community and world e.g. Children in Need, Red Nose Day, Remembrance Day.
Further to this, children learn about being part of Britain from different perspectives. Two specific examples of when we teach about being part of Britain are:
Geographically: Our rivers, coasts and seaside holiday topics ensure that children have a better understanding of what Britain is, learning more about:
•its coasts, rivers and mountains
•where Britain is in relation to the rest of Europe and other countries in the world
Historically: Key moments in British history are studied in the topics such as ‘London’s Burning’ and significant historical figures.
The information below (under headings of; Value, Democracy, The Rule of Law, Mutual Respect and Tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs) is an indication of where we can find evidence to show that British Values are an intrinsic part of school life at Ingram Road Primary School.
Value | Evidence |
Democracy |
Children, parents and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard at Ingram Road Primary School. Democracy is central to how we operate.
The Council are actively involved in providing teachers with feedback.
Another example of ‘pupil voice’ is: •children are asked to respond and reflect on the teaching and learning they receive as well as make suggestions for the School Council to consider.
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.
Parents’ opinions are welcomed at Ingram Road Primary through methods such as questionnaires, online surveys, surveys at parent’s evenings and opportunities to comment on whole school matters e.g. After school provision, RHE curriculum etc.
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The Rule of Law |
The importance of rules and laws, whether they be those that govern our school or our country, are referred to and reinforced often, such as in assemblies and when reflecting on behaviour choices. At the start of the school year, each class discusses the school rules and class routines, principles that are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment, these rules are displayed in each class along with the Code of Conduct of the school. These rules play a fundamental role in our behaviour sanctions and rewards and are linked to our Assertive Mentoring 'Green Trips' throughout school.
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. These values are reinforced in different ways:
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Individual Liberty |
Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Through the provision of a safe, supportive environment, we provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely; for example: •choices about how they can improve their learning •choices around the participation in extra-curricular activities
Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are taught how to exercise these safely, such as in our YOU, ME and PSHE lessons. We use the YOU, ME and PSHE resource across the whole school which also links to assemblies. Collective worship is used to both explore and support the school’s values. By teaching the children how to manage and understand emotions they will be motivated and equipped to:
Children in KS2 are given key roles and responsibilities such as Kidz Crew and 'Buddies' for new pupils. Through opportunities such as our extra-curricular and Lunch Time clubs, After school clubs and Residential Trips, pupils are given the freedom to make safe choices. Children at Ingram Road Primary are encouraged to make choices knowing they are in a safe and supportive environment.
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Mutual respect |
We have high expectations of achievement and behaviour. Children and staff are polite and kind. We believe everyone has their own special gifts and we are expected to use them. We listen and respect each other. We teach the children that conflict will be dealt with calmly and fairly. All members of the school family are valued equally. We celebrate lunch time behaviour and taking care of our school environment. We celebrate each other’s achievements whether that be in or out of school through our weekly Friday Assemblies. Teachers plan exciting, interesting, challenging and innovative lessons where everybody is expected to do their best and respect others. When our older children are given key roles and responsibilities to work alongside younger children this helps to promote mutual respect across the age phases. E.g. Kidz Crew and Buddies.
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Tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs |
Ingram Road Primary are proud to promote and celebrate our different backgrounds and beliefs. Tolerance, politeness and mutual respect are at the heart of our aims, ethos and RE curriculum.
Our central aim to ‘Believe, Achieve, Succeed…Growing Together’ drives us towards ensuring that our pupils are able to live and work alongside people from all backgrounds and cultures. This will be particularly necessary in a future where due to technological advances will make the 'world a smaller place.' Our pupils know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone and to everything, whatever differences we may have. Children learn that their behaviour choices have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community are encouraged to treat each other with respect.
Specific examples of how we at Ingram Road Primary enhance pupils’ understanding and respect for different faiths and beliefs are:
•Through Religious Education, PSHE and other lessons where we develop awareness and appreciation of other cultures – in English through fiction and in art and music by considering cultures from other parts of the world.
•Celebrating cultural differences through assemblies, themed weeks, noticeboards and displays.
Children are encouraged to share their own experiences when celebrating their own faith. Activities within school support both children and adults of different or no faith, the children are taught respect and tolerance of these groups and the opinions of the groups are taken into account with all activities. Whilst instances contrary to our values are relatively rare, each is treated seriously in line with our policies and expectations. |
Election Fever Fortnight at Ingram Road Primary.
How will it benefit the ethos of the school?
- engaging context for establishment of rules and routines at the beginning of the school year
- different opportunity for “getting to know” new classes and developing relationships between staff and pupils
- demonstrate whole school commitment to Pupil Voice
- opportunity to bring the school together in learning at the beginning of the year
- develop pupils as “citizens”, members of the school community and prepare them for becoming active and positive members of their communities outside school
- provide an opportunity to invite parents/carers in to school to “share the learning” during the “democracy on display” afternoon
- foster/develop links with local government representatives, local trade unionists, MPs etc
How will it enrich the curriculum?
- develop pupils’ understanding and appreciation, at an appropriate level, of democracy and equality
- provide tangible links between pupils’ experiences and important historical figures and events
- provide a context for the use of ICT
- provide an opportunity for independent learning and expression of individuality
How will it support maths and literacy attainment?
- provide exciting opportunities for speaking and listening
- provide “real life” context and audience for writing and communication
- provide an impetus and purpose for reading, researching and presenting information
- provide a “real life” context for data handling investigations, percentage and fractions etc
We have a responsibility to prepare our pupils for the world. They need to be aware of the political and societal systems that structure the world in which they are living. They need to understand the mechanisms by which they and others can seek to change society. By giving our pupils this understanding, we can begin to empower them to become active citizens in the world. We can begin to develop in them the knowledge and the skills to put into practice the values we work so hard to instil: fairness, aspiration, self-improvement and affecting positive change.
Election Fever Fortnight
