Preparing Children for Life in Modern Britain
At Southwold, we nurture our children on their journey through life so they can grow into safe, caring, democratic, responsible and tolerant adults who make a positive difference to British society and to the world. We encourage our children to be creative, unique, open-minded and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and of others in our school, our local community and the wider world. We take our responsibility to prepare children for life in modern Britain very seriously ensure that the fundamental British Values are introduced, discussed and lived out through the ethos and work of our school.
All curriculum areas provide a vehicle for furthering understanding of these concepts. In particular, our RE, SMSC and PSHE lessons provide excellent opportunities to deepen, develop, understand and actively promote their application to their own lives. Actively promoting also means challenging pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.
At Southwold, our values permeate all areas of school life and are reflected by the school’s simple motto: ‘Broadening Horizons Through Lifelong Learning’
Democracy – what do we do?
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- Class voting for the election House and Vice Captains at the start of the year;
- Provide pupils with a broad general knowledge of, and promote respect for, public institutions and services;
- Teach pupils how they can influence decision-making through the democratic process;
- Taught through assemblies and our school curriculum;
- Teach a dedicated topic linked to environmental issues (protests and politics) in Year 5/6
- Encourage pupils to become involved in decision-making processes and ensure they are listened to in school;
- Help pupils to express their views;
- Model how perceived injustice can be peacefully challenged;
- Pupils vote for changes in school i.e. new library books, play equipment;
- Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through pupil questionnaires and Pupil Voice sessions;
- School Parliament visit the Nottingham Council House each term to work alongside other Nottingham City schools to discuss and inform local initiatives;
- Pupils take part in UK Parliament.
Rule of law – what do we do?
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- Our school follows our three ‘Rules – Be Respectful, Be Ready and be safe’, which are integral to our learning and ethos every day;
- School rules and expectations are clear, fair and regularly promoted;
- Ensure school rules and expectations are clear and fair;
- Class rules and celebration of adhering to these rules;
- Help pupils to distinguish right from wrong;
- Help pupils to respect the law and the basis on which it is made;
- Help pupils to understand that living under the rule of law protects individuals;
- Explore within our Personal Development Lessons laws and what to do if peer pressure is trying to persuade children to break these;
- Promote the Rights Respecting School Articles (in assembly);
- Involvement in the Mini Police Programme in Year 5, teaching about rights and the law such as knife crime.
Individual liberty – what do we do?
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- Within school, pupils are encouraged, and given the freedom to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment;
- Support pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem, self-confidence;
- Encourage pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour, as well as knowing their rights;
- Model freedom of speech through pupil participation, while ensuring protection of vulnerable pupils and promoting critical analysis of evidence
- Challenge stereotypes;
- Implement a strong anti-bullying culture;
- 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 Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) lessons and SCARF assemblies.
Mutual Respect and tolerance of different cultures and religions– what do we do?
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- Promote the school’s Inclusion and Equality Manifesto;
- Use Primary Picture assemblies to promote the protected characteristics of the 2010 Equality Act to promote respect for individual differences and to actively challenge stereotypes;
- Use Primary Picture assemblies to explore news events;
- Explore positive role models (where possible) through our topics ,who reflect the protected characteristics of the 2010 Equality Act;
- Challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour;
- Organise visits to places of worship and/or invite religious leaders into school;
- Years groups take part in celebration assembly for Diwali, Eid and Christmas;
- Our RE scheme ensures that our children have a good understanding of a range of religious beliefs and customs;
- Help pupils to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life;
