British Values

British Values

​The British Values, as set out by the Government, are:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

​Every school must promote the basic British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs to ensure that young people understand the importance of respect and leave school fully prepared for life in modern Britain. (DfE Guidance, 2014)

We are proud of our strong values curriculum at Bowsland Green Primary School, as everything is underpinned by our school values of Pride, Achievement, Teamwork, Enjoyment and Responsibility. It is a school-wide expectation that every member of our team conducts themselves with pride and role models these values for others. Values-led learning is enhanced and developed through Personal, Social, Moral and Health (PSHE) education which is taught using the JIGSAW scheme.

Values-led learning is enhanced and developed through Personal, Social, Moral and Health (PSHE) education which is taught using the JIGSAW scheme where there are clear links to British Values in every lesson.

However, British values are interwoven into everything we do in our school community, aiming to have an aspect of spiritual, moral, social or cultural reflection in every lesson. We believe that this deepens self-confidence, appreciation, empathy, respect and understanding of others each and every day.

Here are just some of the ways you will see the British Values in action on Team Bowsland:

Mutual Respect

Democracy:

• Democracy is a key thread in our humanities curriculum. In Key Stage 1, pupils learn about London and answer, “Who rules our country and why is London our capital city?” This key concept is built upon throughout historical learning and then developed in a law and democracy unit in UKS2, where pupil’s answer, “How are laws made in the UK?” exploring the journey from the Magna Carta, to women’s right to vote and beyond.
• Pupil’s have strong opportunities to have their voice heard through elected and voluntary membership to a variety of Pupil Voice Teams such as House Captains, Young Leadership Team, Anti-Bullying Ambassadors, Sustainability Squad and Vitality Team. Members lead discussions in their classrooms and ensure that everyone has a chance to contribute.
• Pupil’s are key parts of each learning journey, with opportunities to demonstrate creativity through choice and contributions of their own interests, guiding the journey through the project to the outcome.
• Each term, a different class takes on the role of Charity Champion to carry out a fundraising event and promote awareness of their chosen charity across the school and local community.
• Mock elections take place in line with local/national elections with specific learning linked to these key events in our communities.
• Pupil questionnaires to collect voices of pupils to influence school development
• Pupil’s are actively involved in recruitment processes for new staff members on Team Bowsland

Rule of Law:

• Law, alongside Democracy is a key thread in our humanities curriculum. In Key Stage 1, pupils learn about London and answer, “Who rules our country and why is London our capital city?” This key concept is built upon throughout historical learning and then developed in a law and democracy unit in UKS2, where pupil’s answer, “How are laws made in the UK?” exploring the journey from the Magna Carta, to women’s right to vote and beyond.
• Our school non-negotiables are being Safe, Respectful and Ready to Learn. These behaviours are taught and positively reinforced.
• Our behaviour and anti-bulling policies encourage the restorative justice process to resolve conflict.
• We have a zero-tolerance approach to any form of aggression, abuse or violence, which extends to pupils, staff and parents.
• We are committed to celebrating positive behaviours and outcomes, through our in class behaviour system identifying role models, star learners and those who display Bowsland Brilliance.
• Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws – that they govern and protect us – and the responsibilities that this involves, as well as consequences when these are broken. These are enforced through:
• Visits from authorities such as fire and police services
• Road safety and cycling proficient lessons enabling pupils to understand the rules of the road and associated dangers
• Religious education, including rules for particular faiths

Individual Liberty:

• Pupils are actively encouraged and given the freedom to make choices, knowing they are in a safe and supportive environment.
• Pupils are supported in making choices in learning, through the level of challenge and contribution of ideas guiding the learning journey.
• Pupils’ are encouraged to take responsibility, through our key value, and in their learning eg when uses knives in cooking or fire-lighters in forest school.
• Pupil’s know their rights and explore this through our curriculum, using the Rights of a Child. In UKSE pupils answer, “Why do we need human rights?” exploring these in detail.
• Pupil’s have key roles and responsibilities, through classroom jobs, responsibilities across the school and through pupil voice teams.
• Assemblies are used to explore and support values, supporting pupils to manage and understand challenges and emotions.

Mutual Respect and Tolerence of those with different faiths and beliefs

• Diversity is truly embraced in our community and we are fortunate to have pupils from nearly 40 different nationalities in our school family – all having many different faiths and beliefs – and that’s what makes us so special! Everybody is valued and encouraged to share their views and knowledge with us all.
• Respect is one of our core non-negotiable behaviours and unpins the way adults and pupils act in school.
• Our curriculum is designed for our pupils, with an organisation from local to global across each academic year. Locations and periods of history are chosen to allow our pupils to see their stories in their learning – from Krakow in Poland, representing our largest EAL pupil group, to the study of Ancient Islamic Civilisation, building on the knowledge of faith groups in our community.
• Pupils are encouraged to support others in being respectful – playing an active role in ensuring our community is a place where everyone feels safe.
• Our Religious Education curriculum follows the South Gloucestershire Locally Agreed Syllabus and promotes the discussion of a variety of faiths. All pupils are encouraged to participate and many bring their own expertise to this learning.
• We honour and celebrate different celebrations linked to the faiths and beliefs of our community, through assemblies, celebrations and pupil led learning.
• Our House Enrichment Days are designed to explore global celebrations. There are three themes of Light, Colour and Food. Each child will explore a different celebration linked to this theme each year, during their time on Team Bowsland.