Modern British Values

Promoting modern British values at St Ambrose Barlow

The DfE have 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 mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.” The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.

At St Ambrose Barlow Catholic Primary School we value the diverse ethnic backgrounds of all our pupils and families and promote these in many different ways. We have found this approach teaches tolerance and respect for the differences in our community and the wider world. We believe these are universal values, which all of our community adhere to.  We are committed to developing these in our children and through our day to day practice and attitudes.  They are reinforced regularly in the following ways:

Democracy

Democracy is pervasive across our school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council and pupil questionnaire both within school and our locality. The elections of school councillors are based solely on pupil votes. We also hold elections for the positions of Head Boy and Head Girl, our Pupil Leadership Team, and our Wellbeing Ambassadors. Our school behaviour policy involves rewards, which the pupils decide upon and indeed order for school. We also tackle the ideas of democracy through our curriculum and assemblies.

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 collective worship. 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. Visits from authorities including our emergency services are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.

Individual Liberty

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safety, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education. 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 and PSHE lessons. Whether it be through choice of challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices. At St Ambrose Barlow pupils are encouraged to take ownership of their own learning and are encouraged to be safe and supportive of their classmates.

Mutual Respect

Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around Core Values such as ‘Respect’, and pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. All members of the school community treat each other with respect. Displays around the school promote respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our behaviour policy.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE where we spend specific weeks throughout the year studying other faiths. Members of different faiths or religions and those who speak languages other than English are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school through whole school assemblies. We regularly have visits and presentations from Polish families who share their culture with us and link this to curriculum work. At St Ambrose Barlow we receive children from some different ethnic and faith groups and it is paramount that all our pupils are treated with the same respect. The children have the opportunity to learn about many different faiths and visit different places of worship as they progress through the school which helps to promote tolerance of everyone at our school, local community and the rest of the World.

Promoting British Values Policy 2023-24