The DfE have reinforced the 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 have been in the DFE publication about Spiritual, Moral, Social and Culrural (SMSC) in schools (2014).

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At Woodland Grange we value the diverse ethnic backgrounds of all our pupils and families and promote these in many different ways. We have found this approach teaches tolerance and respect for the differences in our community and the wider world.

They are reinforced regularly in the following ways:

Democracy

Democracy is pervasive across our school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council and pupil questionnaires both within school and our locality. The elections of school councillors are based solely on pupil votes. Our school behaviour policy involves rewards, which the pupils decide upon. Our School council has been to London where they visited the House of Commons and learnt about democracy in our government. We also tackle the ideas of democracy through our curriculum and assemblies, even organising educational visits from the Ancient Greeks!

The Rule of Law

The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school collective worship. 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. Visits from authorities including our emergency services are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.

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 young pupils to make choices safety, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education. 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 and PSHE lessons. Whether it be through choice of challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices. At Woodland Grange this begins with our Forest School provision. Pupils are in charge of their own learning and are encouraged to be safe and supportive of their classmates.

Mutual Respect

Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around Core Values such as ‘Respect’, and pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. All members of the school community treat each other with respect. Displays around the school promote respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our behaviour policy.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE. Members of different faiths or religions and those who speak languages other than English are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school through whole school assemblies. At Woodland Grange we receive children from a variety of different ethnic and faith groups and it is paramount that all our pupils are treated with the same respect. The children have the opportunity to learn about many different faiths and visit different places of worship as they progress through the school which helps to promote tolerance of everyone at our school, local community and the rest of the World.

 

Equalities

Woodland Grange Primary School is committed to all pupils, their parents, staff and other users of the school. The Governing Body is committed to tackling discrimination and promoting equality of opportunity for all pupils, staff, parents and carers, visitors and community users of the premises, irrespective of race, gender, disability, faith or religion, sexual orientation, age and socio-economic background. The Governing Body is committed to promoting community cohesion at school, local, national and global levels.

"We want everyone to achieve their personal best, be happy, highly motivated lifelong learners, be able to express their feelings and ideas, be confident and independent learners and thinkers, be able to work independently and with others, be able to use technology effectively, adopt a safe and healthy lifestyle, value and respect themselves, others and the world in which they live and make a positive contribution to society." 

Complying With The Public Sector Equality Duty

The Governing Body of Woodland Grange Primary School aims to meet its obligations under the public sector equality duty and reflect the legal duties under the Equality Act 2010:

• To eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation
• To advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not
• To foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not

As well as assemblies throughout the year, we have an Everyone's Welcome at Woodland Grange book-based curriculum which is taught each half-term in PSHE lessons; coverage is shown on our PSHE curriculum page.