Promoting British Values at St. Anne Line Catholic Junior School
The DfE have recently 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, 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 are reiterated each year. At St. Anne Line Catholic Junior School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy
Our school has gained the UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools Award, and as part of this each year the children decide upon their class charter and the rights associated with these. All the children contribute to the drawing up of the charter.
We have a Pupil Council which meets regularly with the Deputy Headteacher to discuss issues raised in class council meetings. The council is genuinely able to effect change within the school. Every child on the Pupil Council is voted in by their class. Children have an bi-annual questionnaire where they are able to put forward their views about the school.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at St. Anne Line Catholic Junior School. Pupils are taught from entering in Year 3 the ‘St. Anne Line Way’, which are the rules of the school. These are our Mission Rules, Playground Rules and e-Safety Rules. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits to and from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty
At St. Anne Line Catholic Junior School, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through e-Safety lessons.
Mutual Respect
Mutual respect is at the heart of our school’s mission statement and ‘St. Anne Line Way’. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
St. Anne Line Catholic Junior is a diverse school. We actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures. Religious Education lessons, assemblies and other whole school learning reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others.
Saint Anne Line Catholic Junior School is a level one Rights’ Respecting school. At the heart of our school is the Convention for the Rights of the Child (CRC). This is evident in our planning, policies, practice and ethos.
- Standard A: Rights-respecting values underpin leadership and management
The best interests of Saint Anne Line pupils are a top priority in all actions. The values and principles of the CRC at the heart of this policy. - Standard B: The whole school community learns about the CRC
The Convention is made known to children and adults. They use this shared understanding to work for global justice and sustainable living. - Standard C: The school has a rights-respecting ethos
Children and adults collaborate to develop and maintain a rights-respecting school community, based on the CRC, in all areas and in all aspects of school life. - Standard D: Children are empowered to become active citizens and learners
Every child has the right to say what they think in all matters affecting them and to have their views taken seriously. Saint Anne Line pupils develop the confidence, through their experience of an inclusive rights-respecting school community, to play an active role in their own learning and to speak and act for the rights of all to be respected locally and globally.