Promotion of British Values

At Isleham Church of England Primary School we 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.”

At Isleham CE Primary School these values are reinforced regularly and taught explicitly through Personal, Social, Health, Citizenship and Emotional Education (PSHCE) as well as through Religious Education (RE). We also teach British Values in everything we do, from delivering a broad and balanced curriculum to treating all members of our community with tolerance and respect.

The school takes opportunities to actively promote British Values through our daily Collective Worships, our whole school systems and structures such as the annual election of House Captains and also running a successful School Council. We also actively promote British Values through ensuring that our curriculum planning and annual calendar of extra –curricular events  include real opportunities for exploring these values,  for example our annual poppy wreath laying by House Captains at the village Remembrance Day service.

Democracy

Democracy is an important value at our school. Pupils have many opportunities for their voices to be heard including through our school council. Elections of council members and of Year 6 House Captains are based on individual pupil votes. Voting takes place following the presentation of manifesto speeches by  nominated  candidates.  The School Council has its own budget and is able to genuinely effect change within the school.

The Rule of Law

The importance of Laws, whether those that govern the class, the school or the country are consistently reinforced through everyday  school  life. The children play a role in our restorative approach to promoting good behaviour and through Collective Worship and other school events. Pupils are taught the values and the reasons behind our rules, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from our local community police officer are a regular part of ur calendar and help to reinforce this message.

Individual Liberty

Within school, our children are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. Through the provision of a safe environment and empowering curriculum, all our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and responsibilities. They are advised and guided in how to make safe choices, for example through our online safety teaching and PSHE lessons. Children also have a choice to participate in a wide range of extra- curricular clubs as well as through every day intercations and conversations.

Mutual Respect

Our school ethos and behaviour policy are based on the core Christian values of ‘respect’ and ‘responsibility’. These values determine how we live and work as a school community at Isleham Primary. Whole school worship themes are strongly based on Christian values and children and adults alike, including visitors, are challenged if they are disrespectful in any way. As a result, all members of the school community treat each other with respect.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Isleham is a small rural primary school situated in an area of limited cultural diversity. We are aware of the need to promote pupils’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society. Assemblies, RE and  PSHCE  lessons provide regular opportunities to discuss and address  predjudice and predjudice- based bullying. The inclusion across the curriculum of stories, visitors, events  and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures, support the development of  learning, understanding and tolerance within classes and across the school. We have also invested in high quality range of books that showcase different cultures, faiths and ways of life. This investment supports children to look beyond their horizons into the wider world.

At Isleham CE Primary School we actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views. This is done through our safeguarding channels including Prevent.