British Values
At South Avenue key part of our plan for education is to ensure children become valuable and fully rounded members of society who treat others with respect and leave school fully prepared for life in modern Britain.
We will encourage and nurture every child so that they are able to learn in an inclusive and supportive environment where they feel safe and valued, where it captures their imagination, so that they can discover, learn and grow.
British Values:
1) The Rule of Law
2) Democracy
3) Individual Liberty
4) Mutual Respect and Tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs
To do this our children will develop;
- An understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process.
- An understanding that the freedom to hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law.
- An acceptance that people having different faiths and beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of discriminatory behaviour
- An understanding of the importance or identifying and combating discrimination
- The mission statement and aims of the school clearly reflect these values, and the whole school strives to uphold them
Mission Statement
As a school, we value and celebrate the diverse heritages of everybody at South Avenue. 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, May Day, and Harvest Festival during the Autumn term. We also value and celebrate national focusses, recent examples being; The Queens Jubilee, Chinese New Year and Safer Internet Day, with many more opportunities planned in throughout the year to collaborate with the wider community.
Further to this, children learn about being part of Britain from different perspectives. 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 using books such as Marvellous Monarch’, We examine WW2 and the impact this had on British history as well as comparing British and Viking laws.
The table below is an indication of where we can find evidence to show that British Values are an intrinsic part of school life at South Avenue Primary School.
Value |
Evidence |
Democracy |
Children, parents and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard at South Avenue Primary School. Democracy is central to how we operate. 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, students consider characteristics important for an elected representative, students vote in secret using ballot boxes etc. Made up of one representative 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; in the past, the School Council has hosted fundraising activities and helped to provide equipment for our school grounds as selected by the children. The Council are actively involved in providing teachers with feedback. Another example of ‘student voice’ is: •children are asked to respond and reflect on the teaching and learning they receive as well as make suggestions for the School Council to consider. Students 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 encourage students 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 students using our Values that all our students love to LEARN Parents’ opinions are welcomed at South Avenue Primary through methods such as questionnaires, feedback at parents’ evenings and opportunities to comment on whole school matters e.g. After school provision. |
The Rule of Law |
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, these rules are displayed in each class along with the Behaviour Blueprint. These rules play a fundamental role in our behaviour sanctions and rewards for example we use Recognition boards in class and we celebrate Weekly Star Award during Friday assemblies. Students 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 in PSHE. These values are reinforced in different ways:
|
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 students to make choices safely; for example: •choices about how they can improve their learning •choices around the participation in extra-curricular activities Our students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are taught how to exercise these safely, such as in our PSHRSE PIXL lessons and Izzy Initiative lessons. Collective worship is used to both explore and support the school’s values. By teaching the children how to manage and understand emotions they will be motivated and equipped to:
Children in Year 5 and 6 are given key roles and responsibilities such as Buddies, Reading Buddies in Early Years, Sports ambassadors and Prefects. Through opportunities such as our extra-curricular and Afterschool clubs, Golden Time and Residential Trips, students are given the freedom to make safe choices. Children at South Avenue are encouraged to make choices knowing they are in a safe and supportive environment. |
Mutual respect |
We have high expectations of achievement and behaviour. Children and staff are polite and kind. We believe everyone has their own special gifts and we are expected to use them. We listen and respect each other. We teach the children that conflict will be dealt with calmly and fairly. All members of the school family are valued equally. We celebrate lunch time behaviour and taking care of our school environment through Litter picking crews and Planting squads. We celebrate each other’s achievements whether that be in or out of school through our weekly Success Assemblies. Teachers plan exciting, interesting, challenging and innovative lessons where everybody is expected to do their best and respect others. When our older children are given key roles and responsibilities to work alongside younger children this helps to promote mutual respect across the age phases. E.g. Reading buddies, Buddies and Prefects. |
Tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs |
Alternative faith work as part of the R.E curriculum coverage South Avenue Primary are proud to promote and celebrate our different backgrounds and beliefs. Tolerance, politeness and mutual respect are at the heart of our aims, ethos and R.E curriculum. Our central aim to 'Prepare children for the future' drives us towards ensuring that our students 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 students 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 South Avenue Primary enhance students’ understanding and respect for different faiths and beliefs are:
Children are encouraged to share their own experiences when celebrating their own faith. Daily worship reflects and teaches the children tolerance for different faiths and beliefs. Activities within school support both children and adults of different or no faith, the children are taught respect and tolerance of these groups and the opinions of the groups are taken into account with all activities. Whilst instances contrary to our values are relatively rare, each is treated seriously in line with our policies and expectations. |