How we promote British Values at St Hilary
The DFE has recently reinforced the need ‘to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation for 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 St Hilary School we are dedicated to promoting values which ensure our pupils develop a strong sense of social and moral responsibility which will prepare them for life in modern Britain. We would like to share with our parents how we promote these values.
Democracy
The school values pupil voice and we ask the pupils about their learning, their concerns and for their ideas about how we can make things better for them. We do this by using pupil questionnaires and through our School Parliament. At the start of each year children vote for their School Parliament through an election process. Through the School Parliament children have the opportunity to have their voices heard in front of the school's senior leadership team and governors. The School Parliament also has a budget which they choose how to spend.
The Rule of Law
The school has a 'Behaviour Policy'. The children understand the school rules and what happens if these rules are broken. At the start of each year classes discuss class rules and agree a charter to abide by. The rules are displayed in school and in the pupil planners. During PSHE lessons and assemblies children learn about the importance of having rules and how these relate to laws. We use a range of PSHE resources to promote moral, spiritual, social and cultural awareness among our pupils. Our children have a well-developed sense of justice. They understand and are able to discuss why there needs to be consequences for those who break the rules or laws. By being immersed in the ethos of the school, our children learn about their responsibility to be law abiding citizens.
Individual Liberty
Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Through the provision of a safe, supportive environment and empowering education, we provide boundaries for our children to make choices safely; for example:
- Choices about what learning challenge or activity to do where appropriate.
- Choices around the participation in extra-curricular activities.
- Choices about lunchtime options, and so on
Our behaviour policy is built on the principle that children are responsible for their own actions and choices and that these have consequences. The school sanctions system provides reflection time where pupils are able to think about the impact of their choices. During PSHE, e-Safety lessons and Assemblies pupils are taught how to keep themselves safe whilst they exercise their rights and personal freedoms. Safeguarding is embedded in every aspect of life at the school.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance
Our ethos at St Hilary is based on mutual respect and good manners. Adults actively model respect with one another, and with the children, in how we speak and treat one another. Through our creative curriculum, we promote an awareness of different faiths and we encourage our pupils to recognise and understand these faiths. Our pupils naturally show tolerance for others and have a curiosity to find out and understand cultures and faiths that are different from their own. Our children visit a range of places of worship and have multi-faith visitors in school. All staff model a tolerant and accepting attitude. We use assemblies to raise and discuss issues of bullying and prejudice and reinforce learning during curriculum time.
At St Hilary School, we will actively challenge pupils, parents or staff who express opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including extremist views.
British Values through the Curriculum
Interwoven within the curriculum in a range of curriculum areas are planned opportunities to teach the values of our society. Some examples are:
- PSHE: How we influence democracy is explored though PSHE and assemblies. This includes looking at historical figures such as Nelson Mandela and Gandhi and exploring the effectiveness of different approaches. The Rule of Law The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country is consistently reinforced at St Hilary. 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.
- Geography: We ensure that children have a better understanding of what Britain is, learning more about its capital cities and counties, its rivers and mountains, where Britain is in relation to the rest of Europe and other countries in the world.
- History: Britain and its influence in modern times are aspects woven into our imaginative learning projects
- Music: The study of British composers and their influence worldwide.
- Art: The study of how British artist influence others around the world.
- Religious, Moral & Spiritual Education:Gaining a greater understanding of religious diversity and practices, this covers key religions represented in the UK. Planning for the subject is directed by the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) – Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education. All children have the opportunity to visits places of worship that are important to different to faiths. St Hilary School actively promotes diversity through celebrations of different faiths and cultures.
- Physical Education:Promotion of the concept of “fair play”, following and developing rules, inclusion, celebrating and rewarding success, being magnanimous in defeat and participation in activities that promote kinship and affiliation with others.
- Computing: Children are also taught about respect and bullying in the online world also, through regular e-safety lessons.
- Pupil Leadership: Promotion of democratic processes, fostering the concept and application of freedom of speech and group action to address needs and concerns. Key to this is the concept of holding others to account, including those in positions of influence and authority.
- Educational visits: Our broad range of educational visits and experiences outside of the classroom equip our children with the skills to make a positive contribution to their community as equal citizens, as well as being able to look at British heritage in more depth. Recent visits have included a visit to London, exploring parliament; Pendennis Castle; St Mawes Castle; The National Gallery; choir trip to Wembley to sing in the 'Voice in a million choir'.
- Community Events: We work closely with charities and organisations such as ‘CLIC' and 'Penhaligon's Friends’. We encourage our children to interact with children from other schools, both locally and further afield, though organised activities. Recently our school has hosted a writing festival for neighbouring schools; attended the Heart FM 'Raise your voice' campaign; as well as attending a range of local community festivals- St Piran's Day, Mazey Day.