In accordance with The Department for Education, we aim to actively promote British values in our school to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. Pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law.

We promote British Values though our mission statement, our Religious Education, our own faith, our assemblies and worships and our day to day life at St Matthew's. They are woven into everything we do. We also promote British Values through our spiritual, moral, social and cultural education and ensure our curriculum and teaching strives to educate the ‘whole child’ and provide inclusive learning. As a staff, we all strive to emanate British Values through our behaviour and act as role models for our children. The term ‘British Values’ does not just apply to the values of Britain. The values set out apply to so many countries throughout the world – they differ in no way from the values of most western European countries

The Key British Values are:

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

What do we do to teach Democracy?

 

• Encourage pupils to become involved in decision-making processes and ensure they are listened to in school, such as through the school council
• Help pupils to express their views, including through circle time and the use of pupil voice
• Democracy is shown/taught through history topics such as the Vikings, Saxons, Ancient Greece and inspirational women in history
• Provide pupils with a broad general knowledge of, and promote respect for, public institution and services
• Teach pupils how they can influence decision- making through the democratic process (mock elections)
• Pupils across key stages take part in pupil questionnaires for a range of subjects, especially PSHE.
• Parent Evenings - these are held termly with parents. Their ideas and thoughts are listened to and taken on board

 

What do we do to teach Individual Liberty?

 

• Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment, this includes regular and high emphasis on online safety
• Pupils have key roles and responsibilities in the school, including school ethos council, ambassadors and weekly meetings with the Deputy Head about school related items
• We use elements of the 1decision programme- the mindful approach- to our weekly PSHE sessions
• Singing assemblies, Mission Statement and visual representation of our school values, spread our vision
• A wide range of extra- curricular activities, events, residential trips (Robin Wood) and visitors enable the children to develop their individuality
• Implement a strong anti-bullying culture
• Ongoing visits to other places of worship- e.g synagogue, mosque
• Openly discussing and celebrating the differences between people such as different faiths, gender, ethnicity and disability

 

What do we do to teach Mutual Respect?

 

• We all have high expectations of achievement and behaviour. Children and staff are polite and kind
• We listen and respect each other
• All members of St Matthew's staff are equally valued
• Weekly acknowledgements are made of all achievements and awards of the pupils in school
• Our wide range of sports activities promotes an attitude of equality and fairness
• Our PSHE/RSE curriculum embodies values of mutual  respect
• We promote respect for individual differences
• Organise visits to places of worship
• Develop critical personal thinking skills
• Challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour
• Class assemblies have universal themes of respect and embed our SHINE values
• As part of our RE curriculum each class learns about other faiths; every class studies Judaism and then one other Religion during the year. In these lessons the children will learn about the faith’s beliefs, traditions and cultures and how they are similar or different to our own
• We consider how some cultures and countries have vulnerable people e.g. homeless people and refugees.

 

What do we do to teach The Rule of Law?

 

• Clearly structured and publicised Behavioural Policy
• Assemblies cover national and international events
• Visits from outside agencies- e.g bikeability, Youth Offending Service, Crucial Crew etc
• Regular class and school awards and special celebrations
• Class rules- linked to our school’s SHINE values
• Use of praise and rewards to promote positive consequences (Class Dojo, Stay On Green etc)
• Visits from the local public services to talk to the children about being safe and the law. These include- fire service, police officers, road safety units etc.
• Help pupils to distinguish right from wrong- school council discussions, debating etc

 

What do we do to teach Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs?

 

• St Matthew's CE Primary School has high expectations about pupil conduct and understanding of diversity. This is reflected in our Behaviour and Equality policies
• As a Christian worshipping community, pupils are reminded of their place in a culturally diverse society. This is achieved through the Religious Education curriculum and the spiritual life of the school
• Assemblies and class work promote the diversity of society and the right for each person to be respected and valued equally regardless of ability, gender, faith, heritage or ethnicity
• Daily worship offers opportunities to teach tolerance and understanding
• Diversity is also promoted through music, displays, international days, drama/stories etc

 

 

We feel strongly at St Matthew's that it is our duty to help develop our children into be respectful, tolerant, democratic and law abiding members of society, with support of their parents and the whole school community.

 

At St Matthew's we access 'Picture News'. This resources helps us to understand what is going on in the world and we relate this to our British Values.