Toll Bar Primary School

British Values      

TEACHING AND PROMOTING 'BRITISH VALUES' and personal development AT Toll Bar Primary School

The Department for Education (DfE) has 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 by Ministers ever since. At Toll Bar Primary School, these values are carefully promoted through our curriculum, which includes the ‘hidden curriculum’ and are woven into the ethos of our school.

Toll BAR PRIMARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM STATEMENT

The Varkey Foundation report “Generation Z” found that young people in the UK have some of the lowest levels of mental well-being in the world and are least likely to think making a contribution to wider society important. The report does highlight our young people do not feel well equipped to make a difference and feel they lack confidence or knowledge of how to get involved. Children felt school could support them in this aspiration and make a bigger difference. Our curriculum aims to promote the power and value of contributing back to society in many ways across all areas of the curriculum.

Diversity sits at the heart of our school where we have many wonderful cultures under one roof, however we work hard to promote shared values of equality regardless of race, gender, sexuality, religion or background. From the Generation Z report diversity and equality is highly prized within our country and young people have a clear stand point linked to free speech, access and human rights. These core values are reflected within the curriculum of Toll Bar with carefully selected programmes of study ensuring diversity and equality are firmly embedded.

We have a developmental approach that enables children to develop their understanding of these values throughout their time at our school in order that they become responsible citizens. This is linked strong to our learning behaviours progression map and reward system throughout school.

Learning Behaviours:

Our learning behaviours map out how we teach key skills and attitudes for contributing to the community and world of work and form a fundamental part of the school reward system. Each learning behaviour is deliberately modelled and planned for with all sequences of learning. These behaviours are mapped progressively across the year groups providing greater expectation and challenge as the children grow.

Toll Bar’s Learning Monsters: These are primarily focused on the EYFS framework and Characteristics of Effective Learners, Guy Claxton’s ‘learning powers’ and Oxfam’s Global Citizenship model – we firmly believe these characteristics remain vital throughout a child’s education into adulthood.

 Democracy:

Throughout their time at Toll Bar Primary there will be many occasions where children will have the opportunity to vote and for their voices to be heard. We understand that the children's opinions about their school are valid and need to be at the heart of our decision making.

All staff will model this process through asking questions and inviting children's answers and opinions, whether it be in lessons, during assemblies, at lunchtime or on the playground. For example, in child-initiated learning, all children are developing their decision making skills and learning to make informed choices and take responsibility for them.  Older children often take part in debating activities or engage in public speaking on various topics.

Our School Council has members elected from each class and have regular meetings to represent the views of their classmates.

Our school behaviour policy is clear that children are expected to contribute and co-operate, taking into account the views of others.  

Rule of Law:

We consistently reinforce our high expectations of children. Children are taught the value and reasons behind our expectations (rules) that they are there to protect us, that everyone has a responsibility and that there are consequences when rules are broken. They recognise that whilst we have rules at school, other rules and laws exist in the country for the same reasons.

• At the beginning of each academic year each class reviews the school expectations. These are displayed in the class and referred to at all times.

• By signing the Home School Agreement all parents/carers, children and teachers show commitment to uphold the school rules.

• Children are helped to learn to manage their behaviour and take responsibility for their actions. We help children to understand the connection between actions and consequences; rights and responsibilities.

Visits from the fire service, road safety experts, the police and visits to the various community buildings help us to reinforce this message.

 Individual Liberty:

Within school, children 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 our children to make choices safely, through our provision of a safe environment and engaging teaching. Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms, whilst recognising that they have various responsibilities to fulfil.

We support each child to become as independent as possible so that they are encouraged to become good and valued citizens. We endeavour to demonstrate that everyone has rights; this includes the right to say ‘No’ when appropriate.

Some children will be able to take responsibility for particular roles, such as monitors and learning mentors across the school where and when appropriate.  Learning to do things independently is an important part of learning to understand yourself. We believe that in fostering a careful and helpful environment and encouraging independence we can boost and nurture a healthy self-esteem.

Whether it be through their choice of learning challenge, how to record their work, choosing which of our many extra-curricular activities to participate in or what to eat at lunchtime, our children are given the freedom to make many choices.

Mutual Respect:

Respect is one of our key school values. Children learn that their behaviour has an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of our school community treat each other with respect.

Events and circumstances are planned for pupils to go into the community to meet with a variety of people in different situations which include: sports events, community events and shared participation with other schools.

We support others in our community in a variety of ways for example: singing songs and carols to others; collecting Harvest goods, as well as participating in national charitable events such as Children in Need, Comic Relief and fund raising for local charities.

Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around core values such as ‘Respect’, and children model this by caring, sharing and listening to others. Our staff help children to understand how to respect by talking about how actions/words can affect others.

 Tolerance and understanding of different Faiths and Beliefs:

We aim to enhance children’s understanding of different faiths and beliefs by participating in a range of celebrations throughout the year. Through our school values, all children are taught to respect everyone regardless of their faith and beliefs.

In the curriculum through Religious Education, PSHE, English, Art, geography and history, as well as our Assembly themes, children consider cultures from other parts of the world, different faiths and beliefs. We invite visitors from our community to share their knowledge and to enhance learning both within classes and for the whole school or we visit local places of worship.

 To celebrate being British we:

• Study key historical figures and events in British history through our curriculum
• Dance and listen to music from the different regions of Britain
• Learn key geographical facts about Britain
• Study our native wildlife both within our grounds and beyond
• Support national events such as the Olympics and the World Cup
• Recognition in assembly of effort and achievement
• Strive to have a good sense of humour in the face of adversity!

Children will leave Toll Bar Primary School with the skill set to make a positive contribution to the world around us from a local perspective and beyond. Children will be self-motivated, resilient and have a growth mindset to overcome problems and challenges they may face as they grow into adulthood. They will leave with a positive attitude and a toolkit of skills to make the world a better place – a true Global Local Citizen.

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