Promoting British Values

The DfE have 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.’

At Holy Family, these values are planned, delivered and reinforced regularly through a broad and balanced curriculum including within RHE and RE and also through the ethos of the school in the following ways:

Democracy

At Holy Family, Children, parents/carers and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard: Democracy is central to how we operate.

Pupils are involved in democratic processes, e.g. at the start of each academic year, two children from each class are voted to represent their class on both the School and RE Councils. These groups meet bi-termly, ensuring children are able to express their views.

The school values pupil voice and we ask the pupils about their learning, their concerns and for their ideas about how we can make things better for them. We do this by using pupil questionnaires and small group sessions.

Parents and staff are able to voice their ideas and opinions through regular questionnaires.

The Rule of Law

At Holy Family, we discuss the importance of rules and laws at a variety of levels including those that govern our school and those that govern our country. These laws are referred to and reinforced regularly in ways such Acts of Worship and Assemblies and when reflecting on behaviour choices.

Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws (to govern and protect us), the responsibilities that this involves, and the consequences when laws are broken.

These values are reinforced in different ways:

• During RHE lessons when we use a range resources to promote moral, spiritual, social and cultural awareness among our pupils.
• Visits from authorities such as the emergency services and local magistrates.
• During other school subjects, where there is respect and appreciation for different rules – in a sports lesson, for example.
• At the start of the school year, each class discusses and set their own class rules that are chosen, discussed and understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment.

Individual Liberty

Alongside rules and laws, at Holy Family we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Through the provision of a safe, supportive environment and empowering education, we provide boundaries for our young pupils to make choices safely. 

For example:

• Choices around the participation in extra-curricular activities

• Choices and rights outside of the school gates

• Choices about what learning challenge or activity they undertake

Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and informed how to exercise these safely, for example through our Online Safety and RHE lessons.

Mutual Respect and Tolerance

At Holy Family, adults actively model respect with one another, and with the children, in how we speak and treat one another. Children learn that their behaviour choices have an effect on their own rights and those of others. Our Behaviour Policy encompasses respecting others.

We celebrate our culturally diversity at Holy Family and ensure that children are aware of different cultures and beliefs. Through our R.E curriculum, we promote an awareness of different faiths and we encourage our pupils to recognise and understand these.

Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their beliefs and knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.

We use assemblies, workshops and themed weeks, i.e. Anti-Bullying Week & Black History Week to raise and discuss issues of bullying and prejudice and reinforce learning during curriculum time.