British Values
Promotion of British values
At Edison Primary School we recognise not only the importance of allowing pupils to flourish academically but we also embrace our wider role in preparing them for their adult life beyond the formal examined curriculum, in their local community and as global citizens. Part of our role in that preparation is ensuring that we promote and reinforce British values to our pupils.
The government set out its definition of British values in the 2015 Prevent Strategy and considered them to be democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs. At Edison Primary School these values are reinforced in a pervasive manner and permeate the school community.
The examples that follow are an indication of some of the many ways we seek to embed British values at Edison Primary School and should be seen as an indication of our approach rather than an exhaustive list.
Democracy
At Edison Primary School the principle of democracy is consistently reinforced. As we grow the democratic process will be employed for important decisions within the school community, for instance, through a school government. The principle of democracy is explored in History, Edison Curriculum and Religious Studies as well as in wellbeing and assemblies.
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 and our Edison Curriculum programme of study. Pupils are taught the values and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.
Individual liberty
Within Edison Primary School pupils are actively encouraged to make independent choices knowing that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights, responsibilities and personal freedoms and receive advice about how to exercise these safely.
Mutual respect
Respect is at the core of our school ethos and is modelled by pupils and staff alike. The school promotes respect for others’ and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning environments. We foster an environment where pupils are safe to disagree with each other. Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum from the concept of ‘fair play’ in PE to discussions in humanities.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
This is achieved through equipping pupils with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity within the school community. Pupils are actively encouraged to share their faith and beliefs within the school. Our Religious Studies curriculum provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions and cultures.