British Values
We aim to actively promote British values in schools to ensure young people leave Damers First School prepared for life in modern Britain. Our increasingly diverse school ensures that our children regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law.
The Key Values are:
- democracy
- rule of law
- individual liberty
- mutual respect
- tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
How this is done at Damers First School:
Actively promoting British values
Children have opportunities to learn about the current life and times of our royal family, and the history of our country. They also learn about people around them and their lifestyles, enabling empathy and understanding of our local community. Through Geography, RE and wider curriculum study they also learn about the lifestyles of those further away. Our children learn that people around the world have the same fundamental values and principles that guide their life, but they may express these differently.
Democracy – what do we do?
- Provide pupils with a broad general knowledge of, and promote respect for, public institutions and services.
- Teach pupils how they can influence decision-making through the democratic process including in the classroom, voting for decisions and class councillors and voting in classes.
- Encourage pupils to become involved in decision-making processes and ensure they are listened to in school. Junior Governors and School council have a huge role in this including voting for changes they feel are needed and decisions on whole school events such as anti- bullying.
- Help pupils to express their views
- Circle Time
Rule of law – what do we do?
- Ensure Class Charters and expectations are clear and fair.
- Class Charters are established and made by the children.
- Help pupils to distinguish right from wrong- through our PSHE Jigsaw curriculum.
Help pupils to respect the law and the basis on which it is made. - Learning about people who help us.
Individual liberty – what do we do?
- Support pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence.
- Anti-bullying week celebrating individuality and uniqueness.
- Encourage pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour, as well as knowing their rights.
- Challenge stereotypes and implement a strong anti-bullying culture ‘Say no to bullying’ and ‘Choose Respect’.
Respect and Tolerance – what do we do?
- Promote respect for individual differences.
- Talk partners and collaborative work to share ideas and opinions.
- Help pupils to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life.
- Challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour.
- Teamwork in all areas of the curriculum- taking on roles, collaborative working, peer assessment opportunities, paired work and mixed ability groupings.
- PE- teamwork and games. Teaching children to be respectful winners and losers.
- Assemblies- sharing school values and discussing topical issues.
