British Values Statement
Hemsby Primary School is committed to serving its community. It recognises the multicultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. It also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.
It follows 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. Hemsby Primary School is dedicated to preparing students for their adult life beyond the formal, examined curriculum and ensuring that it promotes and reinforces British values to all its students.
The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.
The five key British Values are:
· Democracy
· The rule of law
· Individual liberty
· Mutual respect
· Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
The school uses strategies within the national curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for students. The examples that follow show some of the many ways Hemsby Primary School seeks to embed British Values.
Democracy
The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced at Hemsby Primary School, with democracy processes being used for important decisions within the school community, for instance, elections being held for House Captains and School Council Representatives. Democracy has been explored through theme days with Theatre East and through workshops on Votes for Women and Victorian Child Labour. The school regularly seeks the opinion of pupils, parents and staff through questionaries and the School Council has implemented improvements through the class council discussions; for example, mirrors in the Key Stage Two bathrooms being installed.
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 Hemsby Primary School. Children are taught the rules and expectations of the school through the school Golden Rules. Children make and understand their class rules and expectation at the start of each school year. 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.
Individual liberty
At Hemsby Primary School, pupils are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Staff at Hemsby Primary School educate and provide boundaries for pupils to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. Students 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 PHSE/R-Time work. Hemsby Primary School has a strong anti-bullying culture and a Behaviour Policy that empowers children to know for their rights and to share concerns and worries with staff.
Mutual respect
Respect is a strong part of Hemsby Primary School and its Golden Rules. Pupils learn that their behaviour has 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 children to express their views in a safe environment with Hemsby Primary’s ethos of ‘Learning Together, Learning Forever’.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
This is achieved though equipping children with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving the opportunities to experience diversity within the school community. The curriculum and topics chosen expose the children to a wide range of beliefs and cultures, allowing them to experience lifestyles, foods and beliefs. The Religious Education curriculum provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions and cultures.
