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British Values

British Values at Christ the King

In June 2014, the Prime Minister emphasised the important role that British values can play in education. Further, how well a school promotes such values is an aspect of Ofsted’s inspection process.

 

As well as actively promoting British values, the opposite also applies: we would actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British values, including ‘extremist’ views.

 

The British values we espouse are not unique to Britain. We acknowledge that they differ in no way from the values of the many countries and the cultural backgrounds represented by families at Christ the King.

 

Below are just a few examples of how we promote British values.

 

Leadership & Management

Being part of Britain

As a school, we value and celebrate the diverse heritages of everybody at Christ the King. Alongside this, we value and celebrate being part of Britain. In general terms, this means that we celebrate traditions and customs in the course of the year; for example, Harvest Festival during the autumn term and trips to the pantomime at Christmas. We also value and celebrate national events, a recent example being the 100th anniversary of the start of World War One.

 

Democracy

Democracy is central to how we operate here at Christ the King. Children, parents and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard and influence positive change.

An obvious example is our School Council. The election of the School Council members reflects our British electoral system and demonstrates democracy in action: candidates make speeches, pupils consider characteristics important for an elected representative, pupils vote in secret using ballot boxes etc. Made up of two representatives from each class, the School Council meets regularly to discuss issues raised by the different classes. The council has its own budget and is able to effect change within the school. The Council are actively involved in recruitment and in providing teachers with feedback.

  

Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. We actively promote equality and diversity, tackling any discrimination swiftly. We encourage our children to take ownership of not only their school but also of their own learning and progress. This encourages a heightened sense of both personal and social responsibility and is demonstrated on a daily basis by our pupils.

 

Parents’ opinions are welcomed at Christ the King through methods such as questionnaires, surveys at parents’ evenings

 

Within our school we have a variety of groups such as the School Council, House teams, Sports teams for football, netball and athletics, playground buddies.

 

Our staff and parents are all part of the PTFA who actively support the school in many ways including volunteering in classes and fundraising.

 

Our Governing Body meet regularly and continually evaluate our effectiveness, challenging and supporting staff, to ensure we provide the best possible education for our children.

 

Role models

Every member of Christ the King Primary school is aware of their responsibilities to act as a role model for our children. They acknowledge and understand the crucial importance of treating each other with respect and setting a good example of the values, attitudes, and behaviours, associated with their role, within the school team both inside school and in their own lives.

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment

There are many opportunities to reinforce British Values and learn about being part of Britain from different perspectives throughout the curriculum. Two specific examples of when we teach about being part of Britain are:

 

Geographically:

Our rivers, coasts and seaside holiday topics ensure that children have a better understanding of what Britain is, learning more about:

  • its coasts, rivers and mountains

  • where Britain is in relation to the rest of Europe and other countries in the world

 

Historically:

Key moments in British history are studied in the topics such as The Great Fire of London and significant historical figures including Florence Nightingale.

 

As a Catholic community we dedicate 10% of our teaching time to Religious Education which includes learning about and from other faiths encouraging a deeper understanding and tolerance of those with different belief systems.

 

We ensure the education we provide promotes equality of opportunity and recognises diversity.

 

Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

 

As a Catholic, Rights Respecting school we are proud to promote and celebrate our different backgrounds and beliefs. Tolerance, politeness and mutual respect are at the heart of our aims and ethos. We empower our pupils are able to live and work alongside people from all backgrounds and cultures. This will be particularly necessary in a future where due to technological advances will make the 'world a smaller place.'  

Our pupils know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone and to everything, whatever differences we may have. Children learn that their behaviour choices 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.

 

Specific examples of how we at Christ the King Primary School enhance pupils’ understanding and respect for different faiths and beliefs are:

 

  • through Religious Education, PSHE and other lessons where we develop awareness and appreciation of other cultures

  • in English lessons through the careful choice of texts that are studied, both fiction and non-fiction

  • in Art and Music by considering cultures from other parts of the world.

  • Celebrating cultural differences through assemblies, themed weeks, noticeboards and displays.

 

Whilst instances contrary to our values are relatively rare, no school can guarantee that there will never be instances which are contrary to our values. Each is treated seriously in line with our policies and expectations.

 

Personal development, behaviour & welfare

We are proud to be a Rights Respecting school, our children do well in their personal development due to the on-going work to help them recognise their rights and responsibilities in society.

 

The children learn to make informed choices throughout their time at Christ the King and on a daily basis.

 

Rules and Laws

 

The importance of rules and laws, whether they be those that govern our school or our country, are referred to and reinforced often, such as in assemblies and when reflecting on behaviour choices. At the start of the school year, each class discusses the school rules and class routines, principles that are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment.

 

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. These values are reinforced in different ways:

  • visits from authorities such as the police and fire service

  • during Religious Education, when rules for particular faiths are thought about

  • during other school subjects, where there is respect and appreciation for different rules

 

Individual Liberty

 

Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Through the provision of a safe, supportive environment, we provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely; for example:

  • choices about what learning challenge or activity

  • choices about how they record their learning

  • choices around the participation in extra-curricular activities

 

Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are taught how to exercise these safely, such as in our PSHE lessons.