British Values

PROMOTING BRITISH VALUES AT FLAMSTEAD END SCHOOL.

The DfE have recently 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 Flamstead End School these values are taught through delivering a broad and balanced curriculum which appeals to, and challenges, children of all ages. The school takes the opportunity to promote these values during class lessons, in assemblies and more explicitly in PSHE and RE lessons.

At Flamstead End, the British Values are reinforced in the following ways:

Democracy:

Democracy is an important aspect of our school ethos and plays an important role in the development of our school. Through the School Council and pupil questionnaires children are given a voice and an opportunity to effect change within the school. 

At the beginning of each year, each class will elect two school council members through a democratic vote. The chosen members will attend regular meetings with the Headteacher, teachers and Governors to discuss issues arising.  The children are given the confidence to express their opinions in the knowledge that they will be acted upon.  Wherever relevant, children are asked to vote to express their choice for example when naming their classes they were asked to contribute ideas for their class name and then vote. 

Rule of Law: 

The importance of laws and rules is consistently reinforced and recognised by teachers and children alike. The children take an active role in formulating and understanding the rules in their class and in school. They are encouraged to consider how they can resolve any issues that arise as a result of breaking the rules and the impact that this may have had on others. This helps them to understand that rules and laws both govern and protect us. 

We are always keen to invite outside agencies, such as the Police and Fire Service, into our school or to visit activities like Crucial Crew to help to reinforce the message of how important laws and rules are. 

Individual Liberty: 

At Flamstead End, pupils are encouraged to make choices and speak their minds. Our school environment is safe, secure and supportive, providing children with the confidence to express themselves. Children are encouraged to make choices about their education, ranging from activities in class, extra- curricular activities and even the quality of their work through self- assessment. 

Together with the pupil support worker and class teachers, children are given opportunities to talk and reflect. They are offered therapeutic support to enable them to express themselves either via the in house pupil support worker or through outside agencies. We use the zones of regulation across the school so that the children have a common language to aid their self-expression. 

Children at Flamstead End are given the opportunity to express their ideas and beliefs through the school council and the eco council. They are able to take action where possible with these ideas. The regular class circle times also allow them to express their thoughts and feelings. 

Mutual Respect: 

‘Respect each other’ is a key value at Flamstead End. Children are taught that their behaviour has an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community show respect for each other, and equally important, for themselves. This combines to create a safe and supportive environment for children to learn. 

Children learn and practice this every day in school with our ethos based around restorative practice. They also have specific teaching around respect through whole school assemblies and through our PSHE sessions. 

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs: 

We actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures. Our Religious Education and PSHE curriculum celebrate and explore the beliefs and festivals of all religions which are supported in other subjects in the curriculum including English, Art and Music. Members of different faiths, including parents, are encouraged to share their knowledge and experiences to enhance learning within a class or throughout the school. The children also visit places of worship that are important to different faiths.