Th Department for Education (DfE) requires all schools“to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation ...... 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.”
At Ibstock Junior School we support the promotion of British Values though work in the curriculum, assemblies and debate and discussion in class. Mr Lewin also leads half-termly Values Assemblies. These focus on individual British Values, and these are followed up in class through discussion and circle time sessions.
Democracy
We at Ibstock Junior School value the process of democracy and aim to promote children’s voice in a variety of ways.
Children hold annual elections to vote for their class representative for the School Parliament. The School Parliament have been involved in developing, planning and running a number of fundraising events and spending an allocation of the school budget. The Parliament collect views of the children which are listened to and acted upon in our school and we take pride in this.
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 and through school assemblies. Pupils have been involved in the process of developing school based laws and rules both within classrooms and within the wider context of school. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws and rules, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws and rules are broken. Annual Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message.
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 advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons.
Mutual Respect
Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community are encouraged to treat each other with respect. If there are instances when this doesn't occur then these are followed up as part of our behaviour policy.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
Ibstock Junior is a non denominational school but as a British school reflects and promotes values of a broadly Christian nature. This is done through specific RE lessons, assemblies as a whole school and as a class and through visits to the local church. These faiths, beliefs and morals are then developed through looking at similarities and differences with others. We pride ourselves on cherishing individual differences and seeing the positive effects of differences of opinion. Assemblies are regularly planned with the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures. Our RE and PSHE teaching reinforce this. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. We are aware that Ibstock has little ethnic and religious diversity and that our children need to gain more experience and understanding of this as part of living in modern Britain. To facilitate this, the governing body have allocated funds from the school budget to support trips to other places of worship.
At Ibstock Junior we will actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views of all kinds. All staff are aware of their new responsibilities under the 'Prevent Duty' to report incidents to senior members of staff.