British Values
Promoting British Values at St Peter’s Methodist Primary School
We have a duty to prepare children for life in modern Britain and to keep them safe.
The Department for Education requires that schools “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 St Peter’s, these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy
Class rules
Each year the children decide upon their class rules and the rights associated with these.
School Council - We have a school council which meets with the Family Liaison Officer to discuss issues raised in class. Every child on the student council is voted in by their class mates. The council is genuinely able to effect change within the school, for example improving the outdoor play equipment and promoting safer parking outside the school.
Our School Council team
Parliament week
Key Stage 2 children take part in Parliament week annually. They hold a parliamentary style debate in their classes and take part in different activities throughout the week. This event aims to empower children with the knowledge and hands-on experience they need to get involved with democracy now and in the future.
The Rule of Law
The Importance of Laws
Whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, laws are frequently discussed at St Peter’s, both within PSHE lessons and worships.
Pupils are taught from an early age the rules of the school and they sign up to them in the Home/School Agreement contract.
School Rules, Playground Rules and Dinner Hall Rules - Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and 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 these messages.
Individual Liberty
At St Peter’s, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.
As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young 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 advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our online-safety and PSHE lessons.
Mutual Respect
Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others.
All members of the school community are encouraged to treat each other with respect. Lessons and worships reinforce our values regularly.
Through our curriculum and inclusive ethos we promote respect for all citizens including those of different ability, orientation, age and culture. This is reinforced through visitors to school, e.g. grandparents, parents from different cultures and older residents.
Tolerance of those with Different Faiths and Beliefs
St Peter’s is an increasingly diverse school.
We actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures. We value the diverse ethnic backgrounds of all pupils and families and undertake a variety of events and lessons to celebrate these. Visitors to school have included people from around the world such as Korean, Japanese and American students, African drumming workshop, etc.
Religious Education lessons, worships and PSHE lessons reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others. Teaching of different faiths and religions helps to enhance learning within classes and the school. The children learn about different places of worship that are important to different faiths.
Picture News
Each week, the children partake in a class worship called 'Picture News' which is designed to provide opportunities for children to learn from our world and develop respect for other’s beliefs, feelings and faiths.
We discuss current news story, with a thought-provoking question and imagine.
The children discuss the story and reflect on their own opinions whilst listening and responding to others.