Promoting Fundamental British Values.

In accordance with The Department for Education we aim to actively promote British values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. As a Church School with values at the heart of the curriculum, we find the teaching of these "British" values to be integral to our every day practice.

Children are taught to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and to 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 (although we use the word "love for", rather than "tolerance of")

All Different, All Equal, All Growing Together

Our Golden Rule is: "Treat others as you want to be treated."

At St. John’s Church of England Primary School our aim is to:

• Enable every child, regardless of their ability, economic or social situation, to achieve their full potential in a safe learning environment.
• Develop community cohesion through the modelling and teaching of respect for social, spiritual, religious and cultural diversity.
• Support our parents in both raising their children and in living fulfilling lives.
• Challenge all forms of prejudice or bias.
• Nurture our children into confident, inquisitive, independent thinkers who will make a positive contribution to society.

STATEMENT ON BRITISH VALUES

Background

This statement follows:

*  the advice of the Department for Education “Improving the Spiritual Moral, Social and Cultural development of pupils” in November 2014 that schools should actively 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 Birmingham Church of England Board of Education at its Governors’ Annual Conference 2015.

 Teaching our children about British Values

Our school is committed to teaching the children to distinguish between right and wrong, to contribute positively to the lives of others in the school; in the local community; and internationally through charitable fundraising and giving. The school provides opportunities to reinforce British values through its own Christian ethos and values and through its teaching within and beyond the national curriculum as follows:

Democracy

The School Council promotes democratic processes, fostering the concept and application of freedom of speech and group action to identify needs and concerns within the school and among those in need in the local and international community. It understands the concept of holding others to account, including those in positions of authority and influence. Groups of pupils advise on particular aspects of school life (eg. Collective worship, Environmental issues) through which they learn the responsibilities of consultation and conscientiousness in leadership. We teach about democracy through many of the topics in school.

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they govern the class the school or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout the school day. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us and the consequences of breaking the law. Visits from various authorities such as the Police, the Fire Service, the local Member of Parliament help to reinforce this message.

Individual Liberty

We encourage pupils to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supporting environment. This includes the choice of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs many of which are free of charge. We also encourage pupils to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and how to exercise these safely, especially through our lessons about PHSE and E safety.

Mutual Respect

Our Golden Rule, "Treat others as you want to be treated" and our code: All Different, All Equal, All Together. All this is reinforced by our ethos, our collective worship and our celebration of values. Through Physical Education we promote the concept of “fair play”, following and developing rules, inclusion, celebrating and rewarding success, being magnanimous in defeat and participation in activities that promote kinship and affiliation with others. 

Mutual respect for those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

As a Church of England school, our worship is Christian and our teaching is based on Christian values. However, respect for different faiths and beliefs is achieved through enhancing pupils’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity.

Discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying are supported by learning in RE and PSHE. We follow Birmingham agreed syllabus for Religious Education which pupils a greater understanding of religious diversity and practices.

Our curriculum allows children to develop the skill to access and share information, make and express decisions, and apply themselves to British society and to the wider world.

Key concepts which are taught and learnt include the understanding and use of money, effective writing and reading skills, collaborative work, discussion and research, formulating ideas and concepts on the basis of discussion and research, and gaining a balanced understanding of the society in which they live.

Aspects of study beyond core skills include the historical and geographical context of the United Kingdom, incorporating local and national evolution, as well as international comparisons.