Beverley Minster C.E. Primary School is committed to serving its community. It recognises the multi-cultural, multi faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. It also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.
It follows equal opportunities guidance which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. Beverley Minster C.E. Primary School is dedicated to preparing Pupils for their adult life beyond the formal examined curriculum and ensuring that it promotes and reinforces British values to all its Pupils.
The Government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools. The government set out its definition of British Values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.
The five British Values are:
Democracy
The rule of law
Individual liberty
Mutual respect
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
We use strategies within the National Curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for pupils. The examples that follow show some of the many ways Beverley Minster C.E. School seeks to embed British values.
Democracy
The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced at Beverley Minster C.E. School, with democracy processes being used for important decisions within the school community, for instance, elections being held for School Council positions and children being encouraged to take part in pupil voice or survey events.
Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council and pupil questionnaires. Children are consulted and contribute to the development of school policies, for example our behaviour policy and the key rules.
In addition, children have first-hand experience of democratic processes such as: Voting for School Council
Assemblies (such as those about the Elections)
Additional opportunities are given through the curriculum such as in KS2 where children learn about the Ancient Greeks
Transition between primary and secondary school has a British Values focus
The principle of democracy is also explored in the History, PSHE and Religious Studies curriculum as well as in assemblies.
The rule of law
The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Beverley Minster C.E. Primary School. Pupils are taught the rules and expectations of the school which are highlighted by the whole school behaviour policy and our home school agreement.
Pupils are taught the value and the reasons behind laws that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police, PCSOs and Fire Service reinforce this message.
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. Our behaviour policy is based on principles of respect, being our best and encouraging one another. When children transgress, we use principles of Restorative Practice to help children to understand the impact of their actions upon others.
UNDERSTANDING THE CONSEQUENCES OF ACTIONS AND BEHAVIOURS:
Restorative practice and behaviour policies are used to instill a sense of respect and fairness, but children are held to account for their actions and the following techniques are used:
- Team points
- Behaviour Charts
- Isolation (rarely used)
- Exclusion (rarely used)
- Working on own when children can’t be trusted to work with others
- Celebration assemblies
- Rewards for all manner of ‘good’ behaviours
- Behaviour Prizes
- Y6 Leavers awards
Individual liberty
At Beverley Minster C.E. Primary School, children are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Staff at Beverley Minster C.E. Primary School educate and provide boundaries for pupils to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through e-safety and independent learning. Beverley Minster C.E Primary School has a robust anti-bullying culture and has in place a comprehensive behaviour policy.
Children also create independence as well as an understanding of how they can help themselves and others through the use of monitor roles. They are always given a ‘choice’ about how they behave and actively encouraged to e.g. ‘sign up’ for clubs and activities.
Mutual Respect
Respect is a strong part of Beverley Minster C.E. Primary School and is part of its Mission Statement & Values. Pupils 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 and this is reiterated through its learning and teaching environments. Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum by providing the opportunity for pupils to express their views in a safe environment with Beverley Minster C.E.’s ethos being, ‘Foundations for life, for all to flourish’.
Children are given many opportunities to work alongside other children so that they learn that all people have valuable and valid contributions to make. These opportunities include, School Council, Play Leaders, working with children from other classes and working with children from other year groups during House Activities
Specific topics related to Mutual Respect include: Anti-bullying topic, Respect Assemblies, PE – disability awareness LA delivery and the Y6 residential.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
This is achieved through equipping pupils with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving the opportunities to experience such diversity within the school community. Pupils benefit from a number of visitors from a range of backgrounds, cultures and faiths. Additionally, pupils are actively encouraged to share their faith and beliefs within the school and celebrate festivities throughout the calendar year. The Religious Studies curriculum provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions and cultures.
Through our SMSC education we help pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence; distinguish right from wrong and to respect English law; encourage pupils to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative and contribute positively to society; enable pupils to acquire a broad general knowledge of, and respect for, English public institutions and services and to appreciate and respect their own and other cultures.
Wherever possible, cultural aspects are woven into the work that children cover. Children listen to music from around the world, are also shown video clips, photographs and artefacts to extend their knowledge and understanding. These images are selected to stimulate discussion about differences and similarities and also to challenge stereotypes.
Assembly themes are used to focus children on different aspects of their cultural heritage and are taught to value other cultures around the world such as a celebration of Chinese New Year and Divali.
Specific opportunities to share in another religion or culture have been embedded into the curriculum as one of our agreed values is ‘tolerance of other faiths and cultures.’ This means that we seek out opportunities to celebrate diversity in our curriculum, ensuring children see diversity as a very normal part of their everyday lives, culture and history.
Beverley Minster C.E. Primary School strives endlessly to ensure that its pupils leave with the strongest foundation of values upon which to build a successful life and a successful contribution to our Society.