British Values

Perryfields Junior School

Statement of British Values

At Perryfields Junior School, British values are embedded in our school ethos and curriculum, so our children are prepared to thrive in the modern world. The British Values are defined as:

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

British Values are delivered through a broad and balanced curriculum via the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) aspects of our learning as well as being taught explicitly through our PHSE curriculum. The school also takes opportunities to actively promote British Values through our weekly assemblies and whole school systems and structures such as electing and running a successful School Council.

We also actively promote British values through ensuring that our curriculum planning and delivery (in class and during assembly time) include real opportunities for exploring these values. At Perryfields Junior School, these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy:

What this means to our children:

The importance of having an opinion and a voice
The importance of being heard and listened to
Their opinions and those of others respected
Confidence to voice ideas and opinions
Working together as a team
Problem solving/ solution finding

How this value is supported and accessed in our school:

PHSE sessions, circle time and other classroom discussion opportunities
Through weekly assemblies focussed on SMSC, school values and British Values
Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council
The elections of School Councillors, House Captains, Sports and Art Captains, House Representatives, Eco Warriors and Digital Leaders are based on pupil votes.
School representatives meet with pupils and vote on various items (such as choosing a house charity, theme for Christmas stalls etc)
Each week, we discuss in groups and as a whole class our Debate of the Week which encourages children to think about important moral issues. During these sessions we listen to and respect each other’s views and feelings and are encouraged to understand that everyone has the right to his or her opinion.
As a whole school, we reflect on the sacrifices made by others during World War 1 and World War 2 so that we can live in a democratic society as we do today, during our yearly Remembrance Assembly.

The Rule of Law

What this means to our children:

Children are supported to make the right choices
Children understand that their words and actions impact on the wellbeing of others
Children understand that making the right choices ensures everyone feels safe and valued

How this value is supported and accessed in our school:

PHSE curriculum sessions, circle time and other classroom discussion opportunities
Through weekly assemblies and Debate of the Week which focus on SMSC, school values and British Values
Through positive reinforcement of our behaviour policy
Each class decides on, and respects, their own set of classroom rules and these underpin the management of the respective classes
The importance of laws and rules, whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school day
Visits from authorities, such as the fire service, are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message

Individual Liberty

What this means to our children:

Children understand that they have rights and responsibilities
Children are encouraged to make positive choices
Children are given opportunities to take safe risks and tackle challenges in their learning
Children feel safe to express their opinions

How this value is supported and accessed in our school:

PHSE curriculum sessions, circle time and other classroom discussion opportunities
Through weekly assemblies and Debate of the Week which focus on SMSC, school values and British Values
Reflective learning opportunities such as the Growth Mindset approach
Pupils are actively encouraged to make choices at our school, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.
Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-Safety teaching and PHSE lessons.
Pupils are given the freedom to make choices; by signing up for extra-curricular clubs and are becoming increasingly more involved in child-led learning. For example, Nando’s Homework enables children to choose their own challenge; opportunities to plan and deliver child-led assemblies are planned; enterprise days which encourage children to present their learning to the rest of the school and their parents

Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

What this means to our children:

We respect all others and listen to what they have to say
We expect that our views will be respected
We learn abut different faiths and beliefs
We understand how our words and actions can affect how someone else feels
An inclusive approach to school life and celebration of our diversity

How this value is supported and accessed in our school:

PHSE curriculum sessions, RE curriculum sessions, circle time and other classroom discussion opportunities
Through weekly assemblies and Debate of the Week which focus on SMSC, school values and British Values
Part of our school ethos and values are based around core Christian values such as ‘respect’ and ‘friendship’ and these values determine how we live as a community at Perryfields School
Children and adults alike, including visitors, are challenged if they are disrespectful in any way and are supported in making the right choices
Values are highly visible around the school. Our values are further reinforced through our delivery of Pear Philosophy which inspires our community to ‘choose their attitude’ and constantly reflect on the consequences of their actions
Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices, prejudice-based bullying and misconceptions have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PHSE
Assemblies are planned so that they celebrate different faiths and beliefs
We celebrate the Christian festivals ,Easter and Christmas, by visiting our local church for whole school services. These services are led by our Year 3 and Year 4 children.

Examples of the British Values being taught through the curriculum at Perryfields Junior School

Year 3

In PHSE, children learn about the importance of respect when making and sustaining friendships; respect of themselves and personal boundaries; and the importance of not causing harm to others. They learn about manners and how to be polite, and they also learn about the importance of rules, rights, freedoms and responsibilities. They reflect on those that are in our classrooms, school and within our society, learning to recognise how this helps our world get along. They also learn about and appreciate the range of national, regional, religious and ethnic identities in the United Kingdom. Pupils also learn about the importance of respecting the differences and similarities between people

In RE, children study a range of religions. They learn how to respond sensitively to the values and concerns of others, including those with a faith, in relation to matters of right and wrong. They also learn how to respond sensitively to the experiences and feelings of others, including those with a faith.

Part of their learning about Christianity, includes the opportunity to lead the Easter service at our local Church and in school.

Year 4

In PHSE, children learn that respect is a vital factor when managing positive relations on and offline. In addition, pupils learn about the features of positive healthy relationships such as mutual respect, trust and sharing interests. They learn about respecting similarities and differences and about appreciating the range of identities. Pupils also explore individual liberty when they learn to recognise the difference between ‘playful dares’ and dares which put someone under pressure, at risk or make them feel uncomfortable and how to manage pressures associated with dares. They also learn that choices can have positive, neutral and negatives consequences and learn to understand how to make informed choices

In R.E. children build on their Year 3 foundations by continuing to learn about different faiths and beliefs. They learn to compare aspects of their own experiences to those of others, identifying what influences their lives. They compare their own and other people's ideas about questions that are difficult to answer, and they make links between values and commitments, including religious ones, and their own attitudes or behaviour. Year 4 lead the Christmas Carol service at our local Church and in school.

Year 4 pupils also study Greek history, focussing on the development of Greek democracy.

Year 5

In PHSE, pupils learn about strategies to manage peer influence and how to assert themselves. They learn to recognise that everyone should be treated equally and discuss why it is important to listen and respond respectfully to a wide range of people, including those whose traditions, beliefs and lifestyle are different to their own. They learn about what discrimination means and different types of discrimination e.g. racism, sexism, homophobia etc. They also discuss the impact of discrimination on individuals, groups and wider society and ways to safely challenge discrimination. In addition to this, they learn that choices can have positive, neutral and negatives consequences and understand how to make informed choices. Pupil also learn to recognise, respect and express their individuality and personal qualities.

Through RE teaching, pupils learn to understand and describe the key beliefs and teachings of the religions studied, connecting them accurately with other features of the religions making some comparisons between religions. They also show understanding of the ways of belonging to religions and what these involve. They also ask questions about matters of right and wrong and suggest answers that show understanding of moral and religious issues.

Year 5 pupils also lead the Harvest Festival.

In History, pupils study crime and punishment across all of their History topics and look at how the law has changed. Within this, they look at individual liberty such as the restrictions on religious rights during Tudor times.

Year 6

As part of the PHSE curriculum, children are introduced to specific laws and understand that harmful practices (such as FGM and forced marriage) are against British law and in contradiction with human rights. They explore individual liberty through the rights of a child and the meaning of consent and how to seek and give/not give permission in different situations. They also learn about personal boundaries and their right to privacy. In addition to this, pupils learn to appreciate the range of national, regional, religious and ethnic identities in the United Kingdom. They also learn the difference between prejudice and discrimination.

Year 6 children also visit ‘Crucial Crew’ where they are taught to make the right choices surrounding use of the internet, railways, drugs and alcohol. They learn about the rules that are in place in society to prevent misuse of these and learn how to keep safe.

Children continue to build on the value of individual liberty making choices on their residential visit. This trip promotes both independence and responsibility.

Mutual respect is a value learnt from throughout PJS and this is re-emphasised in Year 6 with the opportunity to join the Play leader scheme. Children give and receive respect from children within our school.

In RE, pupils learn to understand and explain how some beliefs and teachings are shared by different religions and how they make a difference to the lives of individuals and communities and they also learn to make informed responses to people's values and commitments (including religious ones) in the light of their learning.

Through their history topic on World War Two, children learn about Europe’s fight for freedom and a democratic Europe. Year 6 investigate and discuss the impact of the Holocaust on society. In addition, they also study the Civil Rights Movement which involves the discussion and understanding of human rights and explores the fight for democracy.