Sowerby New Road, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire HX6 1DY
01422 831351
admin@newroad.calderdale.sch.uk
The Department for Education states that there is a 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 and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.”
The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy and these values were reiterated by the Prime Minister in 2014. At New Road Primary School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways.
British Values themes being taught across the school:
We ensure the children have a secure understanding of what British Values are and importantly how they can relate to them. We have regular assemblies on the core themes of British Values and a termly focus.
Democracy
Democracy is embedded at our school. Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. Pupils also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas through our School Council and regular questionnaires. The elections of Year 6 leadership roles and our School Council members are based solely on pupil votes, reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action. We encourage restorative justice practices when injustice has been perceived.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced. In our school each class discusses and sets its own rules that are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment. Our 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. Emergency services visits to school reinforce our school teachings e.g. Fire, Water and Road Safety Workshops.
Individual Liberty
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an empowering education. Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely; examples of this can be clearly seen in our e-safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it is through choice of challenge; of how they record; of participation in our numerous extra-curricular activities; our pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual Respect
Respect is one of the GROWTH core values of our school. The pupils know and understand that it is expected and imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have and to everything, however big or small. The core value of Respect at New Road Primary School underpins our work every day both in and out of the classroom.
Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs
Our core value of Respect ensures tolerance of those who have different faiths and beliefs. New Road Primary School enhances pupils understanding of different faiths and beliefs through religious education studies; PSHE work and celebrating different religious festivals Our annual Inter Faith Week further reinforces our children's understanding listening to first hand experiences and more immersive teaching.
This term we are focussing on -
