British Values
Teaching British Values at Blue Coat Federation
The definition of British Values was set out by the government in the 2011 Prevent Strategy (all staff receive training on the PREVENT Strategy annually) and added to OfSTED inspection guidance in July 2014: “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote fundamental British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs”.
At The Blue Coat Federation these values are regularly promoted through high quality teaching, a rounded programme of worship, assemblies, PSHE and a positive behaviour policy allowing pupils to develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.
We help children to remember the British Values through the thumb and finger model.
Thumb – democracy – up or down to give opinion.
Index finger – Rule of Law – pointing
Middle finger – Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs – tallest finger pointing to God.
Ring Finger – Mutual respect – wedding ring – respect for other people
Little finger – Individual Liberty – sticks out on its own.
Democracy
Our school is led by groups such as the School Council, Language Ambassadors & Worship Leaders. The council members are voted for each year by pupils. They work hand in hand with the staff to raise standards and ensure that all children’s voices are heard. Each year all children complete a questionnaire and in all KS1 and KS2 classes, children participate in the ‘Votes for Schools’ national democracy program.
Rules of Law
Consequences of your actions. Right & Wrong We have a very strong but positive behaviour policy ‘Good to Be Green’. Throughout this we consistently promote our high expectations of all at The Blue Coat Federation. We have rules of the school, which everyone is expected to follow. Those who break one of our rules or disrupt the learning will lose some privileges. This is an extremely successful system with clear, high expectations of all. It shows a clear link between right and wrong behaviour and therefore, links to the civil and criminal law of England. Children who break the rules are taught to understand that their negative behaviour has an impact on others. The Inclusion team and Senior Leaders undertakes Restorative Justice with pupils where required.
Individual Liberty
We provide a safe and supportive environment in which we encourage all to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms while respecting that everyone else also has those same rights. Pupils are encouraged to make good choices within safe boundaries. They are given opportunities to resolve conflicts effectively.
Mutual Respect
Caring, sharing and listening to others. We believe that respect for others is a vital component of moral development. We encourage open discussions in all areas but particularly in lessons which promote citizenship such as PSHE and debate club. We actively support all to develop their own reasoned views about moral and ethical issues . We encourage all pupils to understand that they have rights and responsibilities as citizens within the federation and the wider community. We support a number of charities throughout the year and the children have a clear understanding that there are people less fortunate than themselves.
Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs
Our community is rich and diverse; therefore, we aim to promote the understanding and appreciation of different faiths and cultures both within our society and the wider world. We encourage our children to learn about different cultures and religions, in order to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of them. We provide a broad and balanced curriculum that reinforces British Values and cultural and religious understanding and tolerance. We actively monitor and tackle all forms of bullying and harassment (this includes cyber bullying, prejudice-based bullying related to appearance, SEN, sex, race, religion and belief, disability & gender. We have a very positive ethos which enables children to develop self-confidence and to feel part of our special community. We actively promote courtesy and good manners towards all.