British Values

Home / Curriculum / British Values

Promoting British Values at Blacklow Brow School

In accordance with The Department for Education at Blacklow Brow School we aim to actively promote British values to ensure our pupils leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. Pupils are encouraged to treat people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law. Underpinning all of this is our curriculum and assembly programme, which have strong links to these values.

At Blacklow Brow these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

 Democracy

Democracy is embedded at the school. Pupils are listened to by adults and are taught to listen to and acknowledge different opinions through speaking and listening activities across the curriculum. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard, giving their thoughts and opinions through our School Council and pupil questionnaires. The elections of the School Council members and other school elections are based on pupil votes, reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action. The school council meets regularly under the supervision of an adult to discuss issues raised by individuals and classes. The council is able to influence change within the school and we believe that the active participation of our pupils will sow the seeds for a more sophisticated understanding of democracy in the future.

Individual Liberty

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it be through choice of challenge, of how they record, of participation in our extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

 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. The school has very good links with authorities such as the Police and Fire Service, who visit and help to reinforce the Rule of Law and education children on ways to keep themselves safe.

Mutual Respect

Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours have an affect on their own rights and those of others. Through Equality and Diversity Days, E-Safety Days and Anti-Bullying week, the pupils are taught to value differences in themselves and others and most importantly to show respect to all. We provide opportunities to discuss differences between people, such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, gender or sexuality and differences of family situations, such as children in care or young carers. This is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our behaviour policy and mission statement.

Tolerance

Within our school we promote tolerance towards others from different backgrounds, cultures, languages, faiths and beliefs. Our Religious Education syllabus and Personal, Social, Health and Emotional curriculum reinforce our commitment towards a tolerant society. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. Children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths. At every opportunity we explore the similarities between religions and cultures. Assemblies and discussions around challenging prejudices and prejudice-based bullying are supported by learning in RE and PSHCE. As an inclusive school, we celebrate a variety of important religious festivals throughout the year. During these we encourage the children to identify similarities between faiths e.g. when learning about the significance of light within religions. Diwali, Eid al Fitr, Christmas, Chinese New Year, Hanukkah, Ramadan and Easter are examples of festivals celebrated.

As a school we are committed to helping our pupils be aware of the danger signs to look out for when it comes to radicalisation and that they know the process for reporting their concerns. We will discuss how radicalisation can harm everyone in society and radicalisation occurs in all communities. At Blacklow Brow School, we actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.

Select Language