British Values at Wycliffe CE Primary School
Promoting Fundamental British Values
In accordance with The Department for Education we aim to actively promote British values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. Pupils are encouraged to 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.
Our curriculum threads SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural) across all areas of learning and school life and ensures pupils are aware of the history and values of Britain and prepares pupils for life in modern Britain.
We develop children’s knowledge, understanding, and awareness of Christianity, as the predominant religion in Great Britain, and of the other principal religions represented in this country. We also share with children an appreciation and respect for people of no religious faith.
Loving and valuing everyone is a central element of Christian behaviour and is at the heart of the life of the school. We learn how to love God, one another and ourselves. This is achieved through collective worship, religious education and the application of Christian Values to relationships within and beyond the school. Through the school’s Christian Values we engage children in learning that helps them be respectful towards others and be aware of their feeling, emotions and beliefs.
At Wycliffe CE Primary School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways.
- democracy – We have a School Council so that pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard.
- 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. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message.
- individual liberty – Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. 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. Whether it be through choice of learning challenge, of how they record, of 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 behaviours 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 – Wycliffe CE Primary School is situated in an area which is culturally diverse, therefore we place a great emphasis on promoting diversity with the children. Collective Worships 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 reinforce this.
At Wycliffe we will actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values.
Our British Values policy can be found on our policies page.