British Value Statement

The DfE have recently 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 faiths and beliefs.” The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different these values have been reiterated by the Prime Minister during 2014.

At Pensford Primary School these values are reinforced regularly through both the formal and informal curriculum and during both curricular and extra-curricular activities. We believe that these British values are represented in our school's aims.

At Pensford Primary we aim to:

Maximise the skills and talents of our pupils so that they become creative, confident, independent and caring citizens in a multi-cultural and rapidly changing world.

Creative - Think creatively and celebrate uniqueness

Confident - Be valued as a member of our community. Feel secure through building positive relationships

Independent - Enjoy and explore high quality learning within a stimulating environment. Understand the strategies that help them learn independently and effectively. Take calculated risks

Caring - Live responsibly and be kind. Respect the rights and needs of others to have differing values and beliefs

Resilient - Make consistent progress each year and celebrate achievement. Be resilient when facing challenges

Respectful - Treat others how one would expect to be treated

The examples that follow are an indication of some of the many ways we seek to embed British values at Pensford Primary School and should be seen as an indication of our approach not an exhaustive list:

Democracy

At Pensford Primary we value and respect our children's views. We put our pupils at the centre of the school community and learning. Through our active school council, children can have a definite say in how they would like our school to develop, for example: helping to shape how they learn, developing the playground and contributing to the appointment of new teachers.

The rule of law

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Pupils are taught the values and reasons behind rules, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when rules are broken. Pensford Primary School Behaviour Policy was drawn up by the staff, shared with the pupils and the parents/carers and is regularly revisited. Our ‘golden rules’ are displayed around the school and referred to on a regular basis. Children understand the sanctions and rewards involved. Visits from outside agencies such as the Police and Fire Service are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.

Individual liberty

Within Pensford Primary School, the children are actively encouraged to make independent choices knowing that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an empowering education. Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights, responsibilities and personal freedoms and receive advice about how to exercise these safely. Whether it be through choice of level of challenge, how to answer a question or which of our extra-curricular opportunities to take part in, the pupils are encouraged and given the freedom to make a choice and are supported in living with it. In this way, it is the aim of Pensford Primary School to start the journey that each child will be able to evaluate the society in which they live and to make informed, independent choices that are characteristic of a good citizen.

Mutual respect

Respect is at the core of our school ethos and is modelled by pupils and staff alike. The school promotes respect for others and this is reiterated through our policies and practices. In line with our commitment to democracy, children at Pensford Primary School are always able to voice their opinions and listen to each other. We foster an environment where pupils feel safe to disagree with each other.

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

At Pensford Primary School this is achieved through equipping pupils with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity within the school community. We actively look for opportunities from which our children gain valuable We ensure that pupils learn about the main faiths represented in modern Britain and plan for visits and experience of other cultures and languages. visitors to support this learning.