The DfE have reinforced the 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 Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated yearly. At Yew Tree these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways, for example;
At Yew Tree pupils have a voice. That voice is heard through School Council meetings. The importance of parliamentary democracy is demonstrated in annual publicly held elections of school councillors and also for our prefects. The process includes nominations and voting. Pupils are also involved in the recruitment process for some members of staff. Our pupils learn about their country and where our freedoms, Parliament and constitutional monarchy have evolved from.
Yew Tree consistently reinforces the importance of laws and rules, whether they govern a class, the school or the country. Laws and rules are also reinforced through weekly whole school assemblies. Pupils are taught the values of laws and rules, the reasons behind them and the consequences that apply when they are broken. The school has links with the Fire Service and the Police and both are regular visitors to school assemblies. The school has access to the designated Police Offer based at Halewood Academy.
The various churches and faith groups that call Britain home are all a key part of the Religious Education curriculum. We strive to improve our pupils’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity in school. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying are supported by learning in RE and PSHE.
Pupils are actively encouraged to think about and make good and right choices in their daily lives in and out of school. We provide pupils with a safe and secure environment that supports them in making the right choices via a balanced curriculum. Pupils are encouraged to get involved in a variety of extra-curricular and community activities. Pupils and staff work together for a large number of charitable causes throughout the year.
Respect is at the core of our school ethos and is modelled by pupils and staff alike. The school promotes respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning environments. Staff, children and governors have agreed a set of general principles which promote behaviour. These principals are underpinned by our values of respect, fairness and inclusion.
Pupils are part of discussions and assemblies related to what these mean and how they are shown. Our ethos promotes respect for others and this is reiterated through our individual classroom rules, as well as our whole school behaviour policy. We believe that self-regulation and respect are at the heart of good behaviour. We foster and expect good behaviour from all children. This means children are expected to treat each other and the school staff with respect because they know this is the right way to behave.
At Yew Tree we have adopted the following school rules which are displayed in all classrooms as well as in communal areas of school:
Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum from the concept of ‘fair play’ in PE which promote mutual respect and support between pupils across different year groups within the school.
Click on the link below to read a useful overview for parents.
A guide to British Values for Parents
(With thanks to Twinkl)
Yew Tree Primary Academy
The Avenue
Halewood
L26 1UU
Tel: 0151 477 8950
Email: school@yewtreeknowsley.co.uk