Smitham Primary School

British Values

The Department for Education states that there is a 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.”

At Smitham Primary School and Nursery these values are reinforced regularly through subjects like PSHE and Religious Education (RE). We also teach British Values by planning and delivering a broad and balanced curriculum.

Democracy

Democracy is embedded throughout our school.  Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully to each other; respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard.  Pupils also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas through: School Council; Learning Council; Eco Council; Sports’ Council, Soap Box and through pupil voice interviews/questionnaires. The SOAP Box allows children to discuss, and then vote on, proposed school improvements.  The elections of the School Council members and Y6 House Captains are based solely on pupil votes, reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action. Pupils are also involved in a Votes for Schools weekly debate.

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they are those which govern the class, the school, or the country, is consistently reinforced at Smitham.

Pupils are taught, from an early age, the rules of the school. These are our Smitham Smart 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 from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message.

We expect the children to follow our Smitham SMART rules. These are based on the following words:

Sensible

Manners

Attitude

Respect

Trustworthy

This is also developed through our Wellbeing curriculum ; Behaviour Policy and Zones of Regulation.

Individual Liberty

At Smitham, 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, opinions and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our eSafety and PSHE lessons. At the start of each new academic year, we expect all teachers to discuss eSafety with their class and to sign an agreed set of Computing class rules.

Mutual Respect

Respect is one of the core values of our school. It is deeply embedded in all that we do at the school.  The pupils know and understand that it is imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have and to everything, however big or small.  The core value of Respect at Smitham Primary School underpins our work every day both in and out of the classroom.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Our core value of Respect ensures tolerance of those who have different faiths and beliefs.  Smitham Primary School enhances pupils understanding of different faiths and beliefs through religious education studies, assemblies and P.S.H.E. lessons.

At Smitham we actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.

Other example of how we support British Values:

• School Council, Learning Council and Sports Council take a role in the decision-making process
• School Council have been involved in the interview process when recruiting new staff
• Debating Club visit Houses of Parliament

• School and class rules are clear, fair, and shared
• Pupil Voice. We really value this at Smitham and regularly ask the children for their opinion about learning
• Working with the community – inviting elderly locals in to have tea & cakes during our Harvest Festival, we also have a few volunteers who support our children with things like reading etc
• Junior Citizen Events tackles the influence of peer pressure – Yr6
• Transport for London Talks cover the topic of how to keep safe while using publish transport – Year 6
• PSHE lessons in class
• House Captain and Head Pupil roles and responsibilities
• Buddy system (Year 6 supporting younger classes during drop-off and at lunchtime)
• Guest Speakers in Collective Worship
• Charitable events –Harvest Collection, Red Nose Day, Children in Need
• Anti-bullying week
• Collective Worship - please see the attached document below. 
• Sports’ Coaches & Leaders promote mutual respect and tolerance