Promoting British Values at Rickmansworth Park School Updated November 2022
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. At Rickmansworth Park School, these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy:
Democracy is actively promoted across the school. Pupils regularly have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council. Our councillors are chosen through a whole school election – the children voting for the candidates (two per class across both KS1 and KS2). Each year, every class contributes towards an agreed Whole School Charter made up of chosen articles from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRL). In June 2019, the School Council visited the Houses of Parliament for a guided tour. Pupil questionnaires are frequently used by Subject Leaders and the Leadership Team to prioritise actions and assess the impact/success of strategies and change. Last year, the school established a steering group to guide the school towards the Rights Respecting Gold Award – this was achieved in September 2019. Following the successful introduction of roles of Head Boy, Head Girl, Team Leaders and Digital Leaders in 2017/18, these positions have once again been filled through an election process this academic year. Where appropriate, classes vote to elect their Star of the Week.
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 assemblies. All pupils were involved in creating the School Charter and this is promoted through assemblies, displays and discussions. A copy of the class charters are displayed in each classroom. 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. Online Safety is embedded in the curriculum throughout the school. We are lucky to have a CEOP ambassador on our staff who leads training for pupils, staff and the wider community. Visits from authorities such as the Magistrate, Police and Fire Service begin in YR and help to reinforce this message. Every class uses a similar model to reward positive behaviour.
Individual Liberty:
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. A key part of the Right Respecting Schools Award teaches children to know and understand their rights and the rights of others. Pupils are encouraged to know and understand their rights and personal freedoms. In PSHE and online safety lessons, the children are taught how to exercise these freedoms safely. Pupil choice is encouraged. This begins with child initiated learning in EYFS and leads on to further opportunities for pupil choice in following years e.g. how they record, which reading books they choose and who they work with. This year, the school has introduced an electronic system at lunchtimes which gives the children even greater autonomy. The number and variety of extra-curricular clubs offered by the school provides pupils with the freedom to make further choices. Care is taken to provide equal opportunities for all.
Mutual Respect:
Our school ethos and Behaviour Policy reflect the principles of the Rights Respecting Schools programme. When creating our School Charter, the views of the children were paramount. All adults are mindful about promoting respect for others. Pupils play a key role as role models for respectful behaviour. All Upper Key Stage 2 children are Buddies to younger members of the school. Year 6 children also take on important roles as Head Boy and Girl, Team Leaders, Digital Leaders, Lunchtime Helpers, Play Leaders and Monitors. The rich and varied curriculum teaches the children to value and celebrate differences in others and themselves. The school participates in Anti-Bullying Week annually. Each year, Year 6 take part in an Online Safety Workshop focusing on the transition to secondary school. The school has annual visits from the NSPCC - this involves a whole school assembly and workshops for Year 5 and 6. Within the Schools Sports Partnership, all children at Rickmansworth Park School participate in a wide variety of sporting events. This ensures that children experience competitive events and have an opportunity to apply their sportsmanship skills with other schools.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:
Rickmansworth Park follows the Hertfordshire RE syllabus which ensures that the children learn about the major world religions. The Rights Respecting Schools programme also supports this British Value through regular whole school assemblies. These lessons and assemblies enhance pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society. We celebrate both the languages spoken by our EAL pupils and the experiences of children of all faiths. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. We invite religious leaders into the school to lead assemblies and our assembly themes celebrate the special days of different religions. Where possible, the school organises visits to a range of religious buildings. Multi-cultural stories, in both the school library and classrooms, allow children access to a wide range of beliefs.