Buckingham Park Primary School

The DfE has 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.”

At Buckingham Park Primary School we aim for our children to become valuable and fully rounded members of society who treat others with respect and tolerance, regardless of background. We promote the basic British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs.

The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent strategy, and these values have been reiterated in 2014.  At Buckingham Park these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy

Each year the children decide upon their class charter and the rights associated with these.  All the children contribute to the drawing up of the charter.  Children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard.  We have a school council which consists of two members from each KS1 and KS2 class who are nominated and voted for by their class.  The council meets regularly to discuss issues raised in class council meetings.  These issues include social and moral elements of school life, such creating codes of conduct for playtimes and modelling positive behaviour for their peers.  The areas for discussion are then fed back to the rest of the class where they can all share their views and thoughts.  The school council is able to genuinely effect change within the school.

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.  Our school rules are clearly outlined in our Behaviour policy.  These rules are revisited regularly through PSHE lessons, assemblies, class circle times and there are clear consequences and sanctions for broken rules.  We ensure that our pupils understand that the school rules are there to protect us and are essential for our wellbeing and safety.  Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message.

Individual Liberty

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supported environment.  As  a school we educate and provide boundaries for pupils to make choices safely.  Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through E-Safety and PSHE lessons.  Whether it be through a choice of learning challenge, of how they record or of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect

Mutual respect is at the heart of our values.  Children 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.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

At Buckingham Park we place great emphasis on promoting diversity.  Different faiths and beliefs are explored and celebrated through assemblies, RE and PSHE teaching and through a variety of visitors to the school. The children are taught that people have different faiths and beliefs and that these should be accepted. Children within our school with different faiths are encouraged to share their practices and special celebrations. Children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths. Our English curriculum includes texts from a range of cultures to further raise children’s awareness of different cultures, faiths and beliefs.

At Buckingham Park we will actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British values.