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The Department for Education has introduced a statutory duty for schools to promote British Values more actively from September 2014, and to ensure they are taught in schools.
Sir John Barrow School is committed to serving its community. It recognises the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom and the importance of educating pupils about the rich diversity of the country they live in. It also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.
It follows equal opportunities guidance which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. Sir John Barrow School is dedicated to preparing students for their adult life beyond the formal, examined curriculum and ensuring that it promotes and reinforces British values to all its students.
The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.
The five key British Values are:
The school uses strategies within the national curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for students. The examples that follow show some of the many ways Sir John Barrow School seeks to instill British Values.
Parent/pupil questionnaires. School Ideas/discussion box
Class and school councils. Key Stage 2 School Parliament
Pupil Drop In Sessions with the Senior Leader Team ‘Have Your Say’
Assemblies
Our Governing Body operates according to democratic principles and is careful to show the children an example of the importance of this in action: Governors explain governor elections and their role in school to children during class visits and pupils are invited to ask questions on this topic. Governors also ask children for their views on different aspects of school life, the outcomes of which are fed back to families through the termly Governor News.
School Ethos
Behaviour Policy and School Rules
Reasons for the law and School rules are explained and discussed through assemblies and PSHE lessons. Children are involved in establishing class rules.
Visits by the local police. Road Safety talks
Sir John Barrow School encourages children to value and respect difference, as well as similarities, and have the confidence to make their own individual choices which may differ from those of others. The creative curriculum encourages children to develop and explore their own ideas and to value diversity.
The school has a strong behaviour policy and anti-bullying policy which is followed. Assemblies and PSHE lessons are used to promote individual liberty. Children and staff are reminded regularly what to do if they feel in any way bullied or intimidated. There are clear support mechanisms in place.
Mutual respect is expected at Sir John Barrow School and is at the heart of the school ethos.
Rights and responsibilities are taught throughout the curriculum, particularly through RE and PSHE. Mutual respect is also taught through school/class assemblies and implicitly every day, through relationships and school routines.
Sir John Barrow School values diversity and teaches children to understand and respect different faiths and beliefs. This mainly occurs through assemblies and the quality teaching of Religious Education. This includes inviting people of different faiths into school and visiting different religious communities both near and far.
Children and families within our school community are encouraged to share about aspects of their faith, so that the whole community can learn from their knowledge and experiences. This is often in a class context but may also be across a wider school group.
Please view our British Values policy here.