British values and SMSC

At Queensgate Primary, we promote British Values throughout our curriculum and our development of children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

Our school, ethos and climate promotes British Values at every level.

What are British values?

 British values are:

• democracy; 
• the rule of law; 
• individual liberty; 
• mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and for those without faith

Why promote British Values?

• To enable students to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence
• To enable students to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England
• To encourage students to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and to society more widely
• To enable students to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England
• To further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling students to acquire an appreciation for and respect for their own and other cultures
• To encourage respect for other people, and
• To encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England.

How do we promote British Values at Queensgate?

Democracy

We promote democracy throughout the curriculum and encourage children to have and share their own voices. Our school behaviour policy is clear that children are expected to contribute and cooperate, taking into account the views of others. At the beginning of every topic, children complete a mind map where they share what they would like to learn within the topic and this is taken into consideration at the planning stage.

We have a School Parliament which consists of two children (MPs) member from each class who has been nominated and voted for. 

Rule of Law

From entry to school pupils are continually taught to recognise the difference between right and wrong and this, alongside their developing maturity, helps them to apply their understanding of these concepts in their daily lives.

We consistently reinforce our high expectations of children and these are promoted with our Recognition Boards in each classroom. Children are taught the value and reasons behind our 3Rs (be respectful, be responsible and be reflective) and that they are there to protect us, that everyone has a responsibility and that there are consequences when rules are broken.

Individual Liberty

Within our school children are encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment to enable them to do this. Through our SMSC sessions, we discuss different choices that the children can make and encourage them to make the right choices. Our behaviour policy also gives an excellent forum for staff to discuss the choices  that pupils make about their behaviour in school. It is used to encourage pupils to reflect on their choices and the effect that it has on both their peers and adults. They are given opportunities to resolve conflicts effectively and fairly. 

Through E-safety we teach the importance of keeping yourself safe by choosing not to share personal information and this is kept current by the use of visitors and performers who address issues as technology continues to develop.

Mutual respect

Our whole school ethos is built around mutual respect and we believe that respect for others is a vital component of moral development. We are an inclusive school where everyone is valued and has a contribution to make to the school. Children learn and appreciate that everyone is different and we celebrate and learn from these differences.

Children learn that their behaviour is a choice and has an effect on their own rights and those of others.

We encourage open discussions in all areas but particularly in lessons which promote citizenship such as PSHE and Circles. Staff help children to understand how to respect by talking about how actions/words can affect others.

We actively support all to develop their own reasoned views about moral and ethical issues.