British Values

 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,  mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.”

In line with the with the Department for Education’s five-part definition, we promote the following British values at Bracken Edge Primary School;

- democracy
- the rule of law
- individual liberty
- mutual respect
- tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

At Bracken Edge Primary School pupils will encounter these principles throughout everyday school life. In particular, our promotion of spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding is where these values are explicitly taught in a range of ways including through circle times and special days. Additionally, the values are taught in R.E and interwoven within our curriculum which gives children real and meaningful opportunities to explore these values. At Bracken Edge Primary School, we are certain that the active promotion of British Values means that children are enabled to develop a sense of community and begin to develop their understanding of their role and responsibilities within it.

 Bracken Edge Primary School takes the opportunity to actively promote British Values through school assemblies where a range of British Values are explored. Our whole school systems and structures lend themselves to the active promotion of British Values, heavily. For example, all children take part in a democratic school council an election process and elected children run a successful school council which plays an integral role in informing the school behaviour policy.  Bracken Edge Primary School, also actively promotes British Values by challenging pupils, staff or parents who express opinions contrary to fundamental British values, including ‘Extremist Beliefs’, in appropriate ways.

DEMOCRACY

Pupil voice is significant at Bracken Edge Primary School. Our pupil elected school council plays a strong role in our school. They are elected by their class peers and are involved in making the school a better place to learn. The pupil’s voice is also heard through pupil conferencing and through pupil questionnaires. We know that the formation of the school council and the active participation of our pupils will sow the seeds for a more sophisticated understanding of democracy in the future.

• Children involved in Democratic processes e.g. interviewing prospective staff, school councillors, rewards and incentives etc
• "Send a Friend to School" project from  Cluster Council
• School council
• Links with local MPs and Councillors who visit the school and speak to the pupils
• Curriculum topics cover the legacy of historical Britishness  i.e Romans introduced democracy

RULE OF LAW

Our pupils will encounter rules and laws throughout their entire lives. We want our pupils to understand that whether these laws govern the class, the school, the neighbourhood or the country, they are set for good reasons and must be adhered to.

This understanding of the importance of rules will be consistently reinforced through assemblies, in classes, around the school and through our curriculum. The involvement of our pupils in the creation of the school rules helps them to understand the reasons behind the rules and the consequences if they are broken. Through SMSC questions and circle times, we allow opportunity to debate and discuss the reasons for laws so that children can recognise the importance of these for their own protection. Throughout the year we welcome visits from members of the wider community including the police, the fire brigade, local religious leaders, community groups and many more. We believe that clear explanations and real life stories emphasise the importance of the rule of law for our pupils.

• School Behaviour policy –all stakeholders are aware of the policy and it is understood and followed.
• Pupils have regular opportunities to reflect e.g. learning, their behaviour, during collective worship
• Pupil interviews on behaviour
• Parent / carers questionnaires relating to behaviour, safety etc
• School building links with local police. Police visit and carry out collectiveworship linked to themes e.g. Bonfire Night
• Collective worship with a focus linked to the law e.g. school rules, living in a multi-cultural society
• Understanding of consequences when rules are broken
• Visits from authorities such as the Police; FireService

MUTUAL RESPECT

Mutual respect is at the core of our school life. The children learn to treat each other and staff with great respect. This is evident when walking around the School and in the classrooms. Children are encouraged to showcase their work and celebrate success. Each class draws up a set of class rules or a class agreement each year and use this to set the tone for the level of respect that is expected throughout the year. Through Equality and Diversity Days, E-Safety Days and Anti- Bullying week, the children are taught to value differences in themselves and others and most importantly to show respect to all.

• Collective worship themes on core values
• PHSCE is taught across all year groups
• Positive relationships encouraged and modelled, pupil – pupil, adult –pupil.
• R.E curriculum
• Anti-bullying week
• School Council
• Cluster Council
• Competitive Sports link
• Dojo awards related to School  Rules
• Language of the Month

TOLERANCE OF CULTURE, FAITH AND OTHERS

Bracken Edge Primary School follows the Leeds RE agreed syllabus which ensures that all children learn about the main religions and teaches respect and understanding for the cultures, beliefs, opinions and traditions or others. Class assemblies also help to contribute to the knowledge of special occasions, beliefs and customs. Additionally, Equality and Diversity Days give children the opportunity to enhance their understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society. We celebrate the diversity of our school through participating events and share experiences and heritage. Through our curriculum and the routines of our daily school life, we strive to demonstrate tolerance and help children to become knowledgeable and understanding citizens who can build a better Britain for the future. We use opportunities such as the Olympics and current news and events from around the world to help the children study and learn about life and cultures in different countries.

• R.E. curriculum
• Equalities Policy
• Accessibility Plan
• Bracken Edge Mission Statement
• Collective worship festival collective worship celebrations e.g. harvest, Diwali, Eid, Chinese New Year
• Children from different ethnicities leading teaching of Language of the Month
• Y3, Y4, Y5 trips to places of worship
• Trips to different faith settings and visitors linked to RE topics
• Reflection opportunities in collective worship.
• Weekly Reflection time
• Stephen Lawrence Award level 2
• Black History topic
• Arooj topics and networking
• Displays to promote and value cultural, religious and ethnic diversity

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND LIBERTY

We invest a great deal of time in creating a positive culture in our school, so that children are in a safe environment where choices and freedoms are encouraged and valued.

We offer a range of clubs which pupils have the freedom to choose from, based on their interests and skills. Through our E-Safety days, we educate children on their rights and personal freedoms as well as supporting them in recognising how to exercise these freedoms safely.  In weekly circle times, all children are encouraged to share their feelings in a safe way. Children take responsibility as befrienders to help resolve conflicts and repair relationships. At Bracken Edge Primary School, we believe that valuing choice and freedom in daily school life will foster a value for individual liberty as the children embark upon their adult lives.

• Understanding responsibility in school in terms of behaviour and learning attitude.
• Children’s roles in school
• School values — known and articulated by school community members
• Values collective worship planned for
• Values displayed around the school and evident in action 
• Behaviour Learning Club (BLC) reflection following behaviour incidents (links to school values)
• Encouraging the values of Growth Mindset to empower their learning
• Children learning how to keep themselves safe through the teaching of  E-Safety, first aid, personal safety etc