Promoting Fundamental British Values

We aim to actively promote British values to ensure young people leave Bishop Ridley prepared for life in modern Britain. Pupils are encouraged to regard 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.

The Key Values are:

• democracy

• rule of law

• individual liberty

• mutual respect

• tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

At Bishop Ridley C of E Primary School, British Values are promoted through our ethos, the curriculum (in particular PSHE and RE), collective worship and the children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

Being part of Britain

At our school we value and celebrate being part of Britain. Throughout the course of the year, we celebrate customs and traditions that are integral to British life. Children learn about being British from different perspectives, which ensure they develop a better understanding of what Britain is.

• Celebrating Christian festivals such as Christmas, Easter and Harvest

• Recognising Remembrance Day and observing the two minute’s silence

• Celebrating Saints Days by wearing Rainbow, Beaver, Brownie and Cub uniforms

Democracy

Pupils, Parents/Carers, staff and Governors have many opportunities for their voices to be heard at our school, with democracy being central to how the school operates.

• Pupils from Years 2-6 have the opportunity to elect class representatives to act as School Council members each year

• Pupils from Years 2-6 participate as School Council members to make decisions in the school

• Pupils from Years 5 and 6 participate as Leading Lights members to make decisions in the school

• Pupils undertake questionnaires/interviews which impact on changes made in the school

• Parents/Carers undertake questionnaires/interviews which impact on changes made in the school

• Pupils are always listened to by adults at school and are taught to listen to each other and respect the opinions of others

• Pupils from Year 6 undertake visits to the Houses of Parliament, where the process of democracy is explained to them

The Rule of Law

The importance of rules, whether they govern the class, school or country, are regularly referred to and reinforced at our school. Pupils are taught that these rules are set in place to govern and protect them and are made to understand the importance of adhering to them. They are also made aware of the consequences for breaking such rules.

•  School rules and national laws are consistently reinforced to pupils during collective worship and through the curriculum

• All pupils follow a whole school behaviour system (Consequences Ladder)

• All pupils are praised and rewarded for following class and school rules through a whole school reward system (Record of Achievement)

• We welcome visits from members of the wider community such as police, fire brigade, councillors and MPs to discuss their roles within society regarding the law

• Pupils from Year 6 undertake visits to the Houses of Parliament to see first-hand where laws for our country are made

• Pupils are introduced to E-safety rules to keep them safe both inside and outside of school

Individual Liberty

At our school we promote freedom of choice and the right for all members of our school community to respectfully express their individual views and beliefs. Through a safe, inclusive, supportive environment, we provide a setting for pupils to make choices safely.

• Pupils are afforded the freedom to choose to participate in a range of extracurricular clubs based on their own individual interests

• Through PSHE lessons, pupils are educated about their own rights and personal freedoms, and supported by staff in recognising how to exercise these freedoms safely

• Pupils have the opportunity to choose books based on their own individual interests during their weekly library sessions

• Pupils are able to choose to learn to play a musical instrument of their choice within school

• Pupils can choose who they wish to play with at playtimes and lunchtimes

• Pupils can choose which games they wish to play at playtimes and lunchtimes through the wide selection provided by the school

Mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and for those without faith

Our school’s vision statement of ‘One community, learning and growing together, sharing the love of God’ encapsulates the core notion of uniting and working together to support each other. Mutual respect is at the heart of our ethos, with many of our school’s Christian values (compassion, kindness, fellowship, service) reflecting how we should treat all of those around us, regardless of faiths or beliefs. Pupils are taught that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of our school community should treat each other with respect.

• Pupils are offered a culturally rich and diverse curriculum,  learning about a range of different cultures through our school’s Cornerstones curriculum

• All major religions are taught and respected during Religious Education lessons

• Pupils are taught about those who are less fortunate than themselves and are encouraged to participate in fundraising activities to help and support them

• Links with sponsored children in other countries helps to educate pupils about the lives of those of similar ages to themselves around the world.