British Values

Background

This statement follows the advice of the Department for Education “Improving the Spiritual Moral, Social and Cultural development of pupils” in November 2014 that schools should actively 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.

Teaching our children about British Values

Our school is committed to teaching the children to distinguish between right and wrong, to contribute positively to the lives of others in the school; in the local community for example when the school choir sings at the Elderberries Christmas party in the village hall; and internationally through charitable fundraising and giving.

Lapworth School provides opportunities to reinforce British values through its own Christian ethos and values and also through its teaching within and beyond the national curriculum.

Democracy

Democracy is very important within Lapworth School. 

Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our school council.

The School Council promotes democratic processes, fostering the concept and application of freedom of speech and group action to identify needs and concerns within the school and among those in need in the local and international community.

The election of members of our school council are based solely on pupil votes.

Pupils are encouraged to engage in debates and express their views across the curriculum. For example the children discuss the characters they meet through literature and give their opinions concerning their actions. They also enthusiastically offer their thoughts on environmental issues, whether real or engineered as part of their topic.

We promote the children’s respect for public institutions and services through specific curriculum topics, for example, when in Years 1 & 5 the fire brigade visit Lapworth School to talk to the children.   Pupils in Years 4, 5 & 6 learn about democracy and The Houses of Parliament when studying our ‘Yes Minister!’ topic.

The Rule of Law

An understanding of the rule of law is developed through class discussions around the rights and responsibilities of the pupils. This informs relationships and behaviour in school and shapes classroom and school rules. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us and the consequences of breaking the law. Visits from various authorities such as the Police, Rail Companies, the RNLI and the Fire Service help us to reinforce this message.

The children are also trained as ‘Play Leaders’ and participate in the resolution of minor playground disputes.

Helping pupils distinguish between right and wrong is an integral part of the school day, however, specific curriculum units such as ‘Drug Awareness' and 'Smoking’ are also used to develop understanding.

Individual Liberty

We encourage pupils to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supporting environment.

There is a strong anti-bullying culture in school. We incorporate anti-bullying strategies into our curriculum across the year and hold an annual Anti-Bullying Week in November.

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 e-Safety policy where children are taught to keep their personal information confidential, through following the 'Taking Care' curriculum in and PSHE lessons where they cover units on ‘Smoking’ and ‘Drugs Awareness’.

Our children are encouraged to give their opinions and share these ideas with due regard for the feelings of others. As part of our PSHE curriculum we place a huge emphasis on the social and emotional learning of our children and feel we send them to their secondary school as well rounded individuals.  This is well evidenced when our pupils attend The Pioneer Centre on their residential visit.

Mutual Respect

The principles of mutual respect are incorporated in our school rules and our behaviour policy.

Through Physical Education we promote the concept of “fair play”, following and developing rules, inclusion, celebrating and rewarding success, being magnanimous in defeat and participation in activities that promote kinship and affiliation with others.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

As a Church of England school (VC), our Collective Worship is Christian and our teaching is based on Christian values. Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs is achieved through enhancing pupils’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity, for example through our partnership with Christchurch School, Birmingham.

Respect and tolerance are two of our core values and as such the children are encouraged to respect individual differences and challenge discrimination.

We enhance pupils’ understanding of their own and other cultures through a wide programme of assemblies and learning in RE, PSHE and the wider curriculum. Studying various subjects allows pupils to develop the skill to access and share information, make and express decisions; apply themselves to British society and to the wider world. Key concepts which are taught and learnt include the understanding and use of money through the 'Skills for Bills' programme; effective writing and reading skills; collaborative work; discussion and research; formulating ideas and concepts on the basis of discussion and research and gaining a balanced understanding of the society in which they live. Aspects of study beyond core skills include the historical and geographical context of the United Kingdom; incorporating local and national evolution, as well as international comparisons eg units on China and India in Year 3 and various dance and art units across the long term topic plan.

Discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying are supported by learning in RE and PSHE. We follow Birmingham agreed syllabus for Religious Education which gives pupils a greater understanding of religious diversity and practices.

Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge with our pupils to enhance learning and the children also visit places of worship in the local community and beyond.