Promoting British Values

Promoting British values and life in modern Britain – A School Statement

We agree with the Department for Education’s five part definition of British Values:

DfE – Definitions of British Values

Democracy

A culture built upon freedom and equality, where everyone is aware of their rights and responsibilities.

Examples

• Leadership and accountability
• Joint decision making
• Team meetings
• The right to protest and petition
• Receiving and giving feedback

The Rule of Law

The need for rules to make a happy, safe and secure environment to live and work.

Examples

• Legislation
• Agreed ways of working, policies and procedures
• How the law protects you and others
• Codes of conduct

Individual Liberty

Protection of your rights and the right of others you work with.

Examples

• Equality and Human Rights
• Personal Development
• Respect and Dignity
• Rights, choice, consent and individuality
• Values and principles

Respect & Tolerance

Understanding that we all don’t share the same beliefs and values. Respecting the values, ideas and beliefs of others whilst not imposing our own others.

Examples

• Embracing diversity
• The importance of religion, traditions, cultural heritage and preferences
• Tackling stereotyping, labeling, prejudice and discrimination

Pennyman – Examples of British Values

Democracy

Pupil voice is an integrated aspect of school life at Pennyman. Our pupil elected Junior Leadership Team play a strong role in our school. They are elected by their class peers and are involved in making Pennyman a better place to learn. Pupils have input in their learning and what they would like to learn, which promotes our Pupil Voice.

For example, the pupils decide what our charitable endeavours shall be; what competitions we will devise and enter; and to whom we will write and invite to our social occasions and performances. Pupil questionnaires and interviews are also conducted regularly. We know that the formation of the Junior Leadership Team and the active participation of our pupils will sow the seeds for a more sophisticated understanding of democracy in the future.

The Rule of Law

Our pupils will encounter rules and laws throughout their entire lives. We want our pupils to understand that whether these laws govern the class, the school, the neighbourhood or the country, they are set for good reasons and must be adhered to. This understanding of the importance of rules will be consistently reinforced through assemblies and our curriculum.

We debate and discuss the reasons for laws so children can recognise the importance of these for their own protection. Throughout the year we welcome visits from members of the wider community including police, war veterans, the fire brigade and many more. We believe that clear explanations and real life stories emphasise the importance of the Rule of Law for our pupils.

Individual Liberty

All at Pennyman work to create a positive culture in our school, so that children are in a safe environment where choices and freedoms are encouraged. In lessons, learning tasks are challenging and require cooperation. We encourage children to compete in the belief they have every chance of success. Here they understand they may have to take appropriate risk and may have to congratulate and be proud of a more successful peer on some occasions. We offer a range of clubs which pupils have the freedom to choose from, based on their interests.

Through our E-Safety and PSHE sessions, we educate children on their rights and personal freedoms as well as supporting them in recognising how to exercise these freedoms safely. At Pennyman we believe that valuing choice, freedom, appropriate risk taking, a desire to win and appreciating our fellow competitors in daily school life will foster a value for individual liberty as the children embark upon their adult lives.

Mutual Respect

Our pupils learn together with respect for each other. We value and celebrate our peers, as evidenced on our website. Every pupil knows that we respect and appreciate each other no matter what differences may exist. Being respectful is a core value at Pennyman. Without our community working together, achieving together and competing inter and intra school, our value could not be fulfilled.

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

We offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which all major religions are studied and respected. We believe that tolerance is gained through knowledge and understanding.

Through our curriculum and the routines of our daily school life, we strive to become knowledgeable, understanding and successful citizens who can build a better Pennyman, Middlesbrough, Tees Valley and Britain for the future.