British Values
British Values Statement
Dunnington Primary School is committed to serving its community. We recognise the multi-cultural, multi faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom.
We aim to nurture our children on their journey through life so they can grow into safe, caring, democratic, responsible and tolerant adults who make a positive difference to British society and to the world. We encourage our children to be creative, unique, open-minded and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and of others in our school, our local community and the wider world.
We follow equal opportunities guidance which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. Dunnington Primary School is dedicated to preparing pupils for their adult life beyond the formal examined curriculum and ensuring that it promotes and reinforces British values to all its students.
The Government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools. The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.
The five British Values are:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
We use strategies within the National curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for pupils. The examples that follow show some of the many ways Dunnington Primary School seeks to embed British values.
Democracy
The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced at Dunnington Primary School, with democratic processes being used for important decisions within the school community, for instance, elections being held for School Council positions. The principle of democracy is also explored in the History and Religious Studies curriculum as well as in Learning for Life 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 at Dunnington Primary School.
Pupils are taught the rules and expectations of the school, which are highlighted by the annual home school agreement that pupils, parents and the headteacher sign. Pupils are taught the value and the reasons behind laws that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service reinforce this message.
Pupils are always helped to distinguish right from wrong. The Positive Behaviour Policy sets out a zero tolerance approach to any form of aggression, abuse or violence.
Individual liberty
Pupils are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Staff at Dunnington Primary School educate and provide boundaries for pupils to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. Pastoral support reinforces the importance of making the right choices.
Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through e-safety and circle time and Learning for Life work.
Vulnerable pupils are protected and there is a strong Anti-bullying culture in school. We have Anti-bullying themed weeks and all staff and pupils take an active part in this. The school operates a robust policy of logging incidents. Pupils have key roles and responsibilities within school – e.g. School Council, House Captains.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance of Those with Difference Faiths and Beliefs
Respect is one of the core values at our school. Pupils know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone, adults and children. Pupils learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect and this is reiterated through its teaching and learning environments.
Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum by providing the opportunity for pupils to express their views in a safe environment. Through the Learning for Life and RE curriculum pupils are encouraged to discuss and respect differences between people such as different faith, ethnicity, disability, gender, sexuality and difference of family situations.