British Values

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Promoting British Values at Montpelier

The DFE 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.”

The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values were reiterated in 2014. At Montpelier Primary School, we have ten values that are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

We listen to other people and respect their views and values

We know our rights and responsibilities

We understand right from wrong, how rules are made and why we have then

We understand that there are consequences to our actions

We know that we are all special and we value our special qualities

We try to help other people in school, at home and in our wider community

We understand and respect the roles of people who help us

We treat everyone equally

We respect the culture and beliefs of others

We value the people, places and events from the past that have created our Britain

Democracy

Each year the children decide upon their class rules and the rights associated with these. All the children contribute to the drawing up of the rules. We have a school council which meets regularly to discuss issues raised from classes. The children are also able to vote for their class eco rep and digital leader. We encourage pupils to share their points of views by using our E Schools blogging facilities.  Our curriculum in year 5, supports the origins of democracy through the study of the Ancient Civilisation of Greece and learn about the origins of democracy. They experience the rules of debate.

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 Montpelier. Pupils are taught from an early age our five golden rules of the school. There are our class rules, playground rules and e-safety procedures. Our class digital leaders promote safer internet use. 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. We work in close partnership with our Community Police Officers and have visits from the Fire Service. Through our ‘Going for Gold' Behaviour Policy, we positively celebrate children who have shown us golden behaviour, keeping to our five golden rules

 

Individual Liberty

At Montpelier, 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 e-safety and PSHE lessons.  Year 6 learn what it means for individual freedom to be taken away, through their topic work on Fight For Freedom. They investigate slavery in America, the apartheid movement and the effects of the Holocaust for Jews

 

Mutual Respect

Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children 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. During Friday assemblies, we celebrate the successes of individuals, groups and classes. Our assembly programme supports the theme of tolerance and respect. Through our work with Plymouth Argyle, we train our Argyle Leaders to show respect and tolerance when working with other pupils in the curriculum.

 

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

We actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures. Religious Education lessons and PSHE lessons reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others. Members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. The children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths. For instance in Year 6 we visit the local synagogue.

 

Understanding our British Heritage.

We celebrate many key events linked to our own British Cultural Heritage, including a Christmas Carol Concert, Proms in the Playground and any national events. We learn about key significant historical events both national and local. We also value our environment and give children an understanding of how much we can learn from the surroundings around us through promoting our 50 Things To Do Days.