British Values

At Green Park Village Primary Academy, we uphold and teach pupils about British Values which are defined as:

  • mutual respect;
  • rule of law;
  • democracy;
  • individual liberty;
  • tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.

These values are taught through Personal, Social, Health and Emotional (PSHE). We also teach British Values through planning and delivering a broad and balanced curriculum that includes suitable opportunities for exploring these values.

Here is our strategic overview of coverage to give summary:

British Values and SMSC – strategic overview v1

Democracy 

Democracy is evident throughout the academy and there is considerable opportunity to experience democracy in action. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council, eco council and various learner voice opportunities. Children are elected as Head Boy/Girl Team members and School Council representatives solely on pupil votes.

Click here for our range of Learner Leadership Activities.

Our school’s Learner Attitudes/ Behaviour policy involves whole-class rewards which the pupils vote on as a class group. There are many other world-wide events that can be incorporated into teaching this strand.

The rule of law 

The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the academy, 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, the Fire Service and other organisations are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.

We have a very strong Learner Attitudes/ Behaviour policy based on praise for the features of successful learners. Through consistent application, our high expectations are promoted. There are clear consequences for times when behaviour is not acceptable. Our policies show clear links between right and wrong behaviour and therefore links to the civil and criminal law of England.

Individual Liberty

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As an academy, we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through our provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our Online Safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it be through choice of 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 

We believe that respect for others is a vital component of moral development. We encourage open discussions in all areas but particularly in lessons which promote citizenship such as PSHE discussions.

Part of our school ethos and learner attitudes/ behaviour policy includes core expectations which ultimately support pupils in mutual respect for one another.

We actively support all to develop their own reasoned views about moral and ethical issues. We encourage all pupils to understand that they have rights and responsibilities as citizens within our school and the wider community. For example, the School Council select the charities that will be supported for the current academic year. Discussions in worship and class focus on ways we can help and support those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs is encouraged and promoted.

We actively challenge pupil’s parents and staff who express views contrary to those stated.

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

Our community is made up of people from a wide range of backgrounds. We aim to promote the understanding and appreciation of different faiths and cultures both within our school and the wider world. We actively promote courtesy and good manners towards all. We actively monitor and tackle all forms of bullying and harassment (this includes cyber bullying, prejudice-based bullying related to appearance, SEN, sex, race, religion and belief, disability, sexual orientation or gender reassignment). No-one is discriminated against in a way that is contrary to the Equality Act 2010 (see Anti-Bullying Policy and Equalities Framework).

We teach the children tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Assembly and collective worship and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge and visits to different places of worship enhance learning within classes and the school.

SMSC and British Values Policy:

Green Park Village Primary Academy SMSC and British Values Policy

We use the Jigsaw scheme for our PSHE curriculum. Here is the coverage of British Values within Jigsaw lessons:

UK-British-Values-in-Jigsaw-by-Lesson