British Values
At Wyvil Primary School we ensure that through our school values, rules, curriculum and teaching we promote respect for all cultures, faiths and lifestyles. We value the ethnic backgrounds of all our pupils and families and undertake a variety of events and lessons to celebrate and explore these alongside other cultures in our country. Through this approach we teach understanding of, and respect for the differences in our community and the wider world.
We have a duty to prepare our children for life in modern Britain and to keep them safe.
In June 2014, the DfE reinforced the need for “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.”
Wyvil Primary School actively promotes British Values. As defined by the government 2011 Prevent Strategy, these are the values of:
• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual Liberty
• Mutual Respect
• Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
At Wyvil Primary School our values of respect and fairness permeate all areas of school life and are reflected by our Core Values.
Wyvil Core Values:
• Take responsibility
• Be respectful
• Work together
• Try you best
• Be positive
At Wyvil, British Values are reinforced and interpreted regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy
Pupils have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. We value the voice of our pupils and promote democratic processes such as regular ‘pupil voice’ sessions led by subject leaders so that pupils can contribute to the way they learn and through our weekly ‘circle group’ session where pupils contribute to the ways in which the school can demonstrate that it meets the requirements of the articles in the UN convention on the rights of the child. Ideas and events are planned and discussed with a chance for debate, giving opportunities for different points of view. Circle group sessions also provide opportunities for pupils to decide how they can contribute to the local and wider community such as through charitable fund raising activities.
The ‘Wyvil Word’ is a termly pupil produced newspaper which provides the opportunity for pupils to seek out and share the views of their peers and provides a platform for their ideas and opinions about the school to be shared with the wider community.
Pupils contribute to their own ‘class charters’ which recognise the pupils’ own understanding of the reasoning behind rules.
The School has been recognised by UNICEF for its commitment to promoting and respecting the articles as set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws (and rules), whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days and lessons, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Pupils are helped to distinguish right from wrong and supported to resolve conflicts when they arise. The Good To Be Green behaviour monitoring system along with the published ‘positive behaviour for learning’ document allows pupils to have a clear understanding of the process of sanctions and rewards associated with rules. 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.
Individual Liberty
We support pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence. Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-Safety and PSHCE lessons. Whether it is through choice of learning challenge or of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual Respect
Respect is one of our core values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. Our Behaviour Policy engenders our basic belief in mutual respect. This is integral in school and classroom rules and is reinforced in day to day teaching and assemblies. All staff in school promote and demonstrate respect for others and this value is referenced on a daily basis through the School Reflection which is read by pupils in assembly.
Understanding of and respect for those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
Wyvil is situated in an area which is culturally diverse; therefore we place a great emphasis on promoting diversity and celebrating difference with the children. Assemblies are regularly planned to address this issue either directly or through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures. Our RE and PSHCE teaching reinforces this as do our annual contributions to events such as Black History Month where we recognise that each person’s history is as important as every other person’s. Understanding and respecting those of different faiths and beliefs is promoted in RE as children gain a greater understanding of religious diversity and practices for those religions represented in the UK. Planning for RE is directed by the Lambeth SACRE Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. Within the RE curriculum, there are opportunities for children to visit places of worship that are important to different faiths.