British Values

Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

Neville’s Cross serves an area which is culturally diverse and we are proud to promote and celebrate our different backgrounds and beliefs. Tolerance, politeness and mutual respect are at the heart of our aims and ethos. As a school we work closely with families from different faiths in order to ensure that all children are included.

Our pupils are able to live and work alongside people from all backgrounds and cultures. This will be particularly necessary in a future where due to technological advances will make the ‘world a smaller place.’

Our pupils know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone and to everything, whatever differences we may have. Children learn that their behaviour choices will have an effect on themselves and others and that their actions have consequences. All members of the school community are encouraged to treat each other with respect.

Specific examples of how we at Neville’s Cross Primary School enhance pupils’ understanding and respect for different faiths and beliefs are:

• through Religious Education, PSHE and other lessons where we develop awareness and appreciation of other cultures including visiting places of worship that are important to different faiths
• ensuring children have a rich and varied reading curriculum which promotes diversity
• in art and music by considering people from cultures and from other parts of the world
• across the curriculum, providing pupils with the opportunity to learn how to argue and defend points of view in English, history, geography, PSHE, digital literacy, etc
• celebrating cultural differences through assemblies and themed weeks which allow for the sharing of stories, images, events, music and expectations which promote the universal values. We ensure that we are flexible and responsive to current issues within our school community, nationally and within the wider world.
• Our school thrives in a culture of respect. Our Behaviour policy provides guidelines for promoting good choices and has clear boundaries when those in school do not show appropriate respect
• Our children are integral to drafting class and whole school charters, through the Jigsaw Curriculum, which outline the expectations of all within our school community.
• Children take on roles of responsibility within school e.g. House Captains, Class Council Representatives, Play Leaders etc.

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, we provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely. For example:

• Children have regular opportunities and are encouraged to make choices within the safe environment of the school. Pupil voice is strong at Neville’s Cross.
• Through our curriculum work in PSHCE, RE and On-line safety, children are encouraged to know what is right and wrong and be able to demonstrate this appropriately. There is regular discussion about why choices have been made and the impact of such choices on ourselves and others.
• We provide choice for our children in a variety of situations; how to present a piece of work for the best effect, the after school clubs they wish to attend and the meals the have at lunchtime for example.
• Our children understand that their choices can have an effect on others and they are responsible for the consequences of their words and actions.

Democracy

Children, parents and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard at Neville’s Cross Primary School.

• Our children know they have a right to be heard and we encourage a culture of openness and honesty. Children know there is always someone to talk to in school.
• Pupil voice is strong and children are involved in important decisions such as developing the school motto and cohort Bucket Lists.
• Children at Neville’s Cross regularly engage in the democratic process, for example, through voting for representatives from their class to be Class Council Representatives, House Captains or Play Leaders and they often nominate children to receive individual and class awards.
• The children take part in debate and discussion within lessons and often write persuasive texts outlining the strengths of their argument.
• Children have been actively involved in staff recruitment.
• Children regularly put forward suggestions to the PTA on how to spend its funds and our School Librarians make bids for new reading materials for the school library.

The Rule of Law

The importance of rules and laws, whether they be those that govern our school or our country, are referred to and reinforced often, such as in assemblies and when reflecting on behaviour choices.

• Our children are taught the importance of rules and laws; our classroom charters, school charter and laws within our society are regularly reinforced.
  • Visits from authorities such as the police and fire service
  • During Religious Education, when rules for particular faiths are thought about
  • During other school subjects, where there is respect and appreciation for different rules
  • Our older children attend the ‘safety carousel’ on an annual basis and every year we take part in Safer Internet Day.
  • Through our PE curriculum we promote the concept of ‘fair play’, following and developing rules, inclusion, teamwork, celebrating success and being magnanimous in defeatPupils 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. These values are reinforced in different ways.
  • To encourage and promote good behaviour, attitude and work, we have devised a reward system which is consistently followed throughout the school.  Children are rewarded not only for achievement in curriculum areas, but for demonstrating high standards of behaviour, respect and motivation for learning.

Whilst instances contrary to our values are relatively rare, no school can guarantee that there will never be instances which occur.  Each is treated seriously in line with our policies and expectations.