'Pupils are well prepared for life in modern Britain.' Ofsted, November 2024

The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy and these values were reiterated in 2014.  The DfE reinforced the needs in schools '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.'

At Greenfield these values are reinforced regularly and developed throughout our school and within the curriculum so they are an intrinsic part of school life.  We prepare the children for life in modern Britain by upholding and teaching pupils about British Values as defined by the government.  

We help our pupils to become valuable and rounded members of society who treat others with respect and leave school ready for modern Britain.  Part of teaching British Values is teaching pupils to geographers and to have a good understanding of Britain - where is it in relation to Europe, its coasts, mountains etc and historically to teach our pupils as historians to study key topics such as 'London's burning' and significant historical figures.

Democracy

The School Council meet regularly to discuss issues raised by the pupils in the school.  The council members for each year group are voted for annually in their class (reflecting our British Electoral System), whereby each class can nominate representatives.  Candidates make speeches and pupiils vote based on characteristics important for the representative.  Pupils vote in secret and a representative is elected.  Pupils and parents have many opportunities for their voices to be heard throughout their time Greenfield.  Pupils can putr their views forwards to the School Council who will decide on which views to act on and which will be in the pupils' best interest.  Key agenda items are linked to school priorities around resources, raising money, school development and playground behaviour/equipment/zones.  School Council work together often with Play Leaders, Health Champions, ECO Team and the Prefects.  

Each year pupils can nominate and vote for pupils for the following: School Council, Health Champions and ECO Team Members.

There are also school 'worry boxes' throughout school, which are regularly checked by the Pastoral Team, where pupils can express their views and concerns and these will be passed onto the School Council, where appropriate, to action.

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school or the country are consistently reinforced throughout the school days, as well as when dealing with school behaviour (see the school Behaviour Policy).  At the start of the school year, we focus on Citizenship, school rules and behaviour expectations and all of the children (and parents/carers) are expected to sign a Home/School Agreement to remind them about what is expected from them, including how they should behave in school.  

The rules/laws are regularly addressed in school assemblies, through our PSHE/RSE curriculum and through our Inner Strengths initiative.  Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.  VVisits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this messages and additional lessons such as Bikeability and First Aid training to help our pupils to stay safe within these laws.  Our RE curriculum teaches of rules of faiths and this links closely to our Inner Strengths and respect for different rules.  At the start of the year classes discuss their class rules as well as the school RULES (Respect Uniform Listening Effort Safety).  These agreed rules form the basis of our behaviour rewards and sanctions throughout the school. Children work hard to achieve Dojos, Inner Strength stickers and achievement awards, which are then celebrated with the school in a weekly celebration assembly.

Individual Liberty

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make the right choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.  As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education.  Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE curriculum.  Whether it be through choice of learning challenges, of how they record their work, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs - pupils are given the freedom to make choices.  

Our Inner Strengths work covers all aspects on individual liberty such as making and sustaining friendships, dealing effectively with conflict, managing feelings of anger, frustration, anxiety, resilience, cooperation, respect, tolerance and more.  Key roles in school such as Health Champions, School Council, Play Leaders, ECO Team and more are examples of children's liberties being demonstrated.  These roles help pupils to develop and demonstrate their character across the school.  

Mutual Respect

Respect is taught regularly and forms one of the cornerstones of our school RULES (Respect Uniform Listening Effort Safety).  We teach our pupils that we should all respect one another as members of the school community.  We celebrate our school envorinment and take care of it with the help of our pupil jobs such as litter picking squads from our ECO Team, Prefects and the School Gardeners.  Our pupils show respect to members of the public on school trips, residentials, swimming lessons and other local area walks.

As a rights respecting school, mutual respect is at the heart of our values.  Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others.  All members of the school community should treat each other with respect.  Tolerance, freedoms and respect are discussed regularly through school assemblies as well as PSHE and RE lessons, and play a big part in our community involvement.  We believe staff and children should be respectful and responsible at all times and we celebrate this in our weekly celebration assemblies.  Our pupil jobs and key roles are a clear way we show respect in school - children help to promote mutual respect when working alongside younger pupils and their peers.  

Pupils, parents, visitors and staff are challenged if they are disrespectful in any way.  Values are highly visible around the school through our Inner Strengths initiative and also as part of our Home/School Agreement.

Pupil are encouraged to look after the school building and contents and to see the link between finance and material possessions.  They follow the school RULES which are displayed throughout the school.  

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

At Greenfield, we place a great emphasis on promoting diversity and the need to show respect for others with the pupils and staff.  Understanding differences is not only acceptable, it is welcomed.  Pupils know that everyone is welcome in our school.  Assemblies are regularly planned to address this issue either directly or through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultues.  Our RE, PSHE and Inner Strengths teaching reinforce this.  Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within the school.  Children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths.  In addition, we consider a wide range of cultures in curriculum areas such as Art, Music and English, as well as the impact these cultures have upon these works.  We organised themed weeks and celebrate a variety of cultural celebrations.  We prepare children to be the best versions of themselves they can be and show respect to one another whatever differences we have.  We learn about traditions and customs in the course of the year such as Harvest, pantomimes at Christmas, Saints Days and religious festivals such as Diwali, Hanukkah and Easter.  We also value and celebrate national events such as Yellow Day for Mental Health Awareness, Safer Internet Day, Odd Sock Day for Anti-Bullying Week, Mental Health Week and more.  

Pupils learn about key figures in history who have contributed to positive change in society and consider how they can emulate these ideas.  They have many opportunities for learning about Great Britain and the wider world around us.  Pupils are encouraged to volunteer in the community where possible and be involved in many of the community links provided by school.  A huge variety of extra-curricular activities are available to promote a positive mental attitude and team spirit.  Pupils learn about healthy competition and how working together can make us stronger.  

Actively promoting British Values also means challenging pupils, staff, parents/carers, visitors expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including extremist views.

Protected Characteristics

It is important that all children gain an understanding of the world they are growing up in and learn how to live alongside, and show respect for, a diverse range of people.

The Equality Act 2010, identifies the 'protected characteristics' as:

• age
• disability
• gender reassignment
• pregnancy and maternity
• race
• religion or belief
• sex
• sexual orientation

At Greenfield Primary School, we pride ourselves on having a well-considered approach to the teaching of the protected characteristics.