British Values Statement
At Brickhouse Primary School we value the diverse ethnic backgrounds of all pupils and families and undertake a variety of events and lessons to celebrate these. We have found this approach to be enriching for all parties as it teaches tolerance and respect for the differences in our community and the wider world. Underpinning all of this are a range of curriculum topics which have strong links to the British Empire.
In Year 6, pupils undertake a topic about World War Two and the impact that the military had in fighting for the British Empire. This is linked with the annual Poppy Day celebrations where children purchase poppies and a minute's silence is held in specially created assemblies for the school.
In Year 2, there is a strong focus on the work of Florence Nightingale and how she assisted British soldiers in Scutari so they could convalesce after being injured. Florence Nightingale is seen as a 'martyr' by many children in the year group as they find her work and approach to making changes to hospitals both fascinating and inspiring.
As a whole school, we have celebrated the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, with themed sports days, competitions to design sports kits and opportunities to learn about the history of Olympians in this country.
We have celebrated the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the birth of their children with special assemblies and themed lessons. The Golden Jubilee was a huge event for the school, with parents invited to a 'street party' event held in the playgrounds. Traditional children's party food of jelly and ice-cream, jam sandwiches and cloudy lemonade were served to all.
The Department for Education states that there is a 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 Department for Education defines British Values as follows:
- Respect for democracy and support or participation in the democratic process
- Respect for the basis on which the law is made and applies in England
- Support for equality of opportunity for all
- Support and respect for the liberties of all within the law
- Respect for and tolerance of different faiths and religious and other belief
Our school reflects British values in all that we do. 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.
At Brickhouse, we actively promote British values in the following ways:
Democracy
- All children are encouraged to debate topics of interest, express their views and make a meaningful contribution to the running of the school on matters that directly involve children.
- Children also have the opportunity to have their voices heard through pupil questionnaires and our annual PASS Survey.
- The principle of democracy is explored in the curriculum as well as during assemblies and special days.
- The Brickhouse Voice, our school council, allows our children to make changes in the life of the school, which last year. included improving lunchtimes and reading across the school.
- The Brickhouse Voice members are voted for by the children in their classes.
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Rule of Law
- Our school follows ‘Core Rules’, which are integral to our learning and ethos every day.
- School rules and expectations are clear, fair and regularly promoted.
- Children are always helped to distinguish right from wrong, in the classroom, during assemblies and on the playground.
- Children are encouraged to respect the law and Brickhouse enjoys visits from authorities such as the Police, Fire Service, Ambulance, etc. to help reinforce this message.
- The Behaviour and Anti-Bullying policies set out a zero tolerance baseline for any form of aggression, abuse or violence, which extends to children, staff and parents and carers.
- The importance of laws, whether to those that govern the group, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout the school day, as well as when dealing with behaviour and during Praise Assemblies.
- Children are taught the values and reasons behind rules and laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.
- Children are taught to follow rules through various games and activities across school, particularly in PE.
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Individual Liberty
- Within school, children are actively encouraged, and given the freedom to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment e.g. by signing up for extra-curricular clubs.
- Children are supported to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence.
- Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour and our pastoral support reinforces the importance of making the right choices.
- Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our Online Safety and PHSE lessons.
- Vulnerable children are protected and stereotypes challenged. A strong anti-bullying culture is embedded in the school and any form of bullying is challenged and addressed. The school also operates a robust system of logging incidents.
- Children have key roles and responsibilities in school e.g. Year 5 & 6 Prefects, School Council Members, Lunchtime Monitors, etc.
- Through RE and PHSE lessons children are taught to recognise their own and other’s beliefs.
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Mutual Respect and Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs
- Respect is one of the core values of our school. The children know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone, adults and children.
- Children are helped to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life.
- Staff and children are encouraged to challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour.
- Links and visits are promoted with local faith communities and places of worship e.g. Members of different faiths or religions are invited to school to share their knowledge and enhance learning within assemblies and in class.
- Through the PHSE and RE curriculums children are encouraged to discuss and respect differences between people, such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, gender or sexuality and differences of family situations.
- Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudiced-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PHSE.
- We offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which all major religions are studied and respected. These curriculum topics offer children the chance to reflect on our core values and British values.
- Throughout the school day children have the opportunities to work independently and collaboratively in groups and pairs. They are also given opportunities to self and peers assess work.
- Our work with WOW Active emphasises sportsmanship throughout PE and physical activities and supports in the teaching of what makes a good team player
- We take part in the annual national Anti-Bullying week to ensure our children are equipped to recognise and challenge bullying behaviours
- When requires, we have had REWIND UK into school to run workshops with Year 5 & 6 on racism and they have covered topics that include:
- What is racism?
- What is racist Behaviour?
- How does racism make you feel?
- What are the consequences of racism?
- What do people of different faith look like?
- What is prejudice?
- Can we decide who believes what by how they look?
- What is a refugee?
- How would it feel to be a refugee?
- We also fund raise for and learn about the people who need our help e.g. Children in Need, Macmillan Nurses, Poppy Appeal, Comic Relief, Black Country Food Bank, Jeans for Genes
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