Promoting British Values

The government states that all schools are required to ensure that they promote the fundamental British values. These are defined as:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect
• Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

At Bowmandale School we are proud that our school ethos and culture enable children to grow and develop into responsible, respectful and thoughtful young people who are well-equipped to make a positive difference to their community and wider world. We actively promote each of the British values through our curriculum long term planning, assemblies, our RE and PSHE curriculum and a programme of discreet British Values lessons which address each of these five core values.

Democracy

Democracy is richly embedded within the school. Pupils' opinions are sought through our School Council, pupil questionnaires and regular pupil voice meetings with various staff members. House captains are elected at the start of each year to reinforce children’s understanding of a democratic society. Children also regularly learn about wider political issues such as the most recent general election, the European Union vote and the process by which party leaders are elected.

Our school relationships and behaviour and our values teach children how to become responsible citizens; this is embedded within all aspects of school life and shared with parents, carers and our governing body.

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school, or the wider community, is consistently reinforced at Bowmandale.

Pupils are taught from an early age that gold standard behaviour is an expectation in our school. This is reinforced by the Golden Rules, Playground Rules and Safety Rules. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws and how they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Our Relationships and Behaviour policy is centred around Restorative Practice, which teaches children to take responsibility for their behaviour and to repair relationships following any incidents.

Individual Liberty

Within school, our pupils are actively encouraged to make responsible choices. As a school we enable all pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an empowering education.

Pupils are encouraged to know and understand their rights and personal freedoms; they are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. Within assemblies, we teach pupils about basic human rights in the context of our society and wider world and initiate discussion around these issues.

Mutual Respect

Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. All of our pupils are taught the importance of respect for self and others. 'Restorative Practice' is employed throughout the school to enable pupils to reflect on their behaviours and learn that these have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect. Adults throughout the school model and promote respect for others. This is reiterated through our school rules and our behaviour.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Bowmandale Primary School is situated in an area which is not greatly culturally diverse, therefore we place a great emphasis on promoting diversity with the children. Assemblies promote an understanding of different faiths and cultures through stories, celebrations and visitors to the school.  Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning and children regularly visit places of worship that are important to different faiths. This learning is reinforced through RE and PSHE.