At West Croft Primary School, we value the diversity of backgrounds of our pupils, their families and the wider school community. 

 The Department for Education states that there is a 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’.

The Department for Education defines British Values as follows:

• Respect for democracy and support or participation in the democratic process
• Respect for the basis on which the law is made and applies in England
• Support for equality of opportunity for all
• Support and respect for the liberties of all within the law
• Respect for and tolerance of different faiths and religious and other beliefs

Promotion of British Values is an integral part of the work of the school.  Encouraging children to be good citizens and make a positive contribution to their communities and the wider world is a focus of learning at West Croft.  The school recognises that children’s positive personal development is an essential element in their becoming good citizens: it promotes children’s well-being; supports children in developing a positive self-image and finds many ways to give children agency. At West Croft Primary School, we actively promote British values in the following ways:

Democracy

Pupils at West Croft learn what democracy is through planned opportunities to voice their opinions, debating topics of interest and voting for choices in meaningful ways.  These opportunities include: sharing views in subjects across the curriculum; taking part in surveys; presenting and debating and voting.  Examples of these opportunities are a thematic approach across the curriculum of debate, giving all children an opportunity to debate a question at the end of their unit.  Examples include:

• School council who discuss topics and make decisions to benefit school life
• Children  partake in Youth Speaks
• Teaching the early beginning of democracy through Ancient Greeks
• Debate theme in Summer term 2
• Through our Oracy curriculum

Assemblies and resources such as Newsround promote knowledge and engagement with current affairs, including governance and elections.

The Rule of Law

The school supports pupils in understanding the Rule of Law through its behaviour policy, which is discussed with all stakeholders.  School rules and expectations are clear, fair and regularly promoted (e.g. in class assemblies).  Pupils with grievances, or those not adhering to the rules are given opportunities to explain themselves and time is taken to listen to all sides in any dispute through the restorative approach.  Consequences are discussed with pupils who have behaved inappropriately and have not observed the school rules.

Compliance with the school rules is the subject of continuous discussion and a focus of learning every day.  The school works tirelessly to ensure that rules, rewards and consequences are applied consistently across the school by all members of staff.  Children are given opportunities to reflect on how the framework of school rules keeps them safe and happy.

The school’s curriculum supports pupils in developing understanding of the Rule of Law through study of the process of law-making; application of the law and examples of law-breaking and its consequences.  Learning across the curriculum, particularly within PSHE, as well as visits from members of the police (Year 5 workshop), workshops for parents and RNLI.

Individual Liberty

Children at West Croft have many opportunities to consider different aspects of their own identity, exploring this through research, reflection, discussion and creative activity.  Children study the history of the diverse communities and the geography of places with which members of the school community have a connection.  They learn about and meet a diverse range of significant individuals through our 100 People in their individual school passport.  Children consider issues of discrimination and how these have been overcome throughout different subjects across the years.  They are taught to reflect on their own perceptions and behaviour in relation to others.

Pupils are also encouraged to develop as individuals through opportunities to consider likes and dislikes and to make choices predominantly in assemblies and through our PSHE curriculum.  They are taught that they are free to express their views, but must do so with respect for others, learning to understand that individual liberty sits alongside personal responsibility. Through the academic and wider curriculum, pupils are taught how they can express and communicate their views appropriately and responsibly.

Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

Through the entirety of the school’s curriculum, children are taught about the diversity of religious belief within the local and wider community.  As part of the RE curriculum, the beliefs and practices of all the major faith groups are studied.  There are shared celebrations of key events in the religious calendar, such as Eid, Chinese New Year and Diwali.  The school works to accommodate the needs of members of its different faith communities, including consideration for dietary needs, for example. Prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour is always challenged.