Modern British Values

The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values were reiterated in 2014 with the DfE reinforcing 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.”

Fleet Primary School prides itself on being a UNICEF Rights Respecting School, meaning that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is embedded in our ethos and culture; this Convention is based on many of the same values as those listed in the Department for Education’s definition of British Values.

We are fortunate to serve a wonderfully diverse community and we welcomes and value everyone, whatever their ability, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality or background. As a primary school, we believe we have a vital role in combating discrimination and promoting fairness, justice and equality through our teaching and in the role models we offer. We teach the children to be responsible citizens and positive representatives of the United Kingdom within the wider world. Promoting British Values is, therefore, an intrinsic part of all we do. We specifically promote and reinforce the four key British Values listed by the DfE through our rich topic based curriculum and also in the following ways:

Democracy

Children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard.
School council elections are held at the beginning of each year and all children in Years 2-6 are invited to stand. Two councillors (one boy and one girl) are elected from each class after a ballot. The council of ten then meets weekly to discuss issues raised by the children in each class. The council has its own budget and is able to genuinely effect change within the school.
Fleet has gained the record of commitment (ROC) towards becoming a UNICEF Rights Respecting school. Each year the children decide upon their ‘class charter’ and the rights associated with these and all children contribute to the drawing up of the charters. Children in Years 3-6 are also involved in a RRSA steering group (also including teachers, parent and governors). They are known as Rights Respecting Ambassadors. Through the year they develop projects to work on that raise awareness in the school community on aspects of the UNCRC articles. Recently they have worked on projects covering the right to food, the right to safe water and the right to shelter.

The School’s leadership also strives to model the values of transparency and accountability in its own actions and governance.
Assemblies take time to consider the implications of national/global events e.g. (General Elections, Referendums) and important dates (establishment of parliament, women get the vote etc.).
Within classes children learn about the principles of debating and School council take part in the annual Camden School Council Debates at the Town Hall.
Visits also incorporate learning about democracy and the democratic process for example visits to the Houses of Parliament.
Democracy is studied as part of the legacy of Ancient Greece and touched on in many topics covered across 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, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they 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 help reinforce this message.
All families, upon first joining the School, are given a Home-School Agreements outlining their rights and responsibilities
We teach children to distinguish right from wrong, drawing parallels between rule breaking and behaviour management at school and in society generally, involving pupils in understanding what makes a disciplinary action fair and just, and modelling consistency in the exercise of authority.

Individual Liberty

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices and take responsibility for these choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.
Our School places special emphasis on freedom of self-expression, as reflected in our non-uniform policy, our emphasis on an enriched and creative curriculum. Pupils are given the freedom to make choices as learners – through learning challenges in lessons, home learning projects and in their extra-curricular activities.
As a school we have a responsibility to provide boundaries and safety for children through rules and regulations but also give them opportunities to make mistakes and to learn from their experiences.
Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through E-Safety lessons.

Mutual Respect & Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Fleet is situated in a culturally diverse area and there is a strong history and philosophy within the school of celebrating cultural diversity.
One of the school’s five core values states that we will ‘develop each child’s confidence, self-esteem and inter-personal skills, instilling respect for others and an understanding of their role as part of a community’.
Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others and all members of the school community are expected to treat each other with respect.
Our philosophy lessons develop ideas of respect and tolerance.
Our programme of assemblies address understanding and acceptance of different faiths and beliefs through stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures and RE, PSHE and RRS teaching reinforce this.
In RE lessons, members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.
Classes visit places of worship that are important to different faiths. All of this is also celebrated and showcased to parents through the school newsletter.

At Fleet Primary School we have a commitment to actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.