British Values

The DfE have recently 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 reiterated this year (2014).  At Camps Hill Primary School these values are taught through our broad, balanced and enriched curriculum. Frequent opportunities to apply our ‘Golden threads’ ensure that children practice key learning behaviours that support the school’s vision to create valued members of our community.

At Camps Hill Primary School and Acorns Pre-school we will actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.

Please see the Enriched Curriculum Map to further read about the way in which children apply these ‘British Values’ and ‘Golden Threads’.

Democracy

Pupil voice is used as a tool for school improvement. The Celebration Tree in the hall is an example of pupil’s ideas for the future of their school and strengths that they have identified and are proud of. Pupil questionnaires have been used by subject leaders to priorities actions and to evaluate the success/impact of change.

The school has four ‘Houses’ which have been suggested in a whole school competition and voted on by the pupils. House Captains for Key Stage 1 and 2 were self-nominated, presented their manifesto and a whole school polling day was held. The local counsellor attended this day and verified the votes.

House Captains represent their house and the first house event held will be ‘Decoration Day’ in December. Houses fundraise throughout the year for their chosen charity.

In Year 3 pupils learn about ‘Government’ in their PSHE topic.

Parents complete a questionnaire three times a year and comments are used to improve the school. See the ‘you said…we did’ page on the website.

The Rule of Law

A consistently applied Behaviour Policy is shared with the children and visible in all areas of the school. Expectations are reinforced regularly and opportunities are sought frequently to praise positive choices. Pupils’ modelling behaviour consistent with the school’s high expectations are recognised and used as role models to others. Reflection club allows time for pupils to talk through poor behaviour choices and discuss strategies they may use to resolve conflict. Trained Peer Mediators operate on the playground to support children and help them.

Through assemblies and the school’s PSHE/Citizenship curriculum, children develop an understanding of law appropriate to their age. Access to high quality text gives pupils a safe way of exploring the ‘breaking’ of laws and an opportunity to discuss consequences when this occurs. Pupils are taught explicitly that laws keep us safe and our Protective Behaviours Curriculum enables pupils the opportunity to recognise when they do and do not feel safe.

Regular contact with PSCOs on Friday Lunchtimes builds positive relationships with the Police from an early age and children understand their role in maintaining a peaceful community. Visits from other external agencies such as the Fire service, Health professionals and ‘People who help us’ reinforces their understanding of the responsibilities held by various professions.

Individual Liberty

Protective Behaviours are taught across the school and every child is aware that they have the right to feel safe. They are also taught that there is nothing too awful that they cannot talk to an adult about it. All children create and regularly update a ‘network hand’ to identify key adults that they can talk to when they need to.

Children are valued for their differences and there is a wide variety of extra-curricular clubs (17 in the Autumn Term) to enable children to try new things, develop new skills and practice existing ones. Care is taken to provide equal opportunities for all genders such as a boys and girls football team. The children write and edit their own School Newspaper; the Happy Camper which reflects the issues that are important to them.

Time and care is taken to know each child as an individual and weekly circle time sessions give children a chance to share their feelings and options in a safe way.  

Opportunities for children to take on more responsibility within the school area is encouraged. Pupils support daily in the school office, are school Librarian’s (for which they move through a training program) and have responsibility for the school animals. Older children support during the lunchtimes on the playground and in the dinner hall. Year 6 children run lunchtime clubs for pupils and support running activities they have designed during playtimes. When these jobs are changed over, the children interview their peers to ensure a fair process.

Mutual Respect

A class charter is drawn up at the beginning of each academic year to set clear expectations of respectful behaviour. If pupils show disrespect to one another, this is dealt with immediately through the school’s behaviour policy and Parents/Carers are contacted. Time is given for repair and restoration and to talk about the behaviour which is disrespectful to others.

An Anti-Bullying week is held annually and various well-being events are held across the year. During these sessions, children are taught to value differences in others and themselves and to respect others.

A consistent behaviour policy is in place and children take responsibility, with support when needed, to resolve conflict and repair relationships. Friendship benches in the playground give an opportunity for children to make new friends. Activities such as ‘secret friends’ across the school give opportunities for every child (and staff member) to feel valued and their strengths, recognised by others are shared publicly.

Within the partnership of the Stevenage Sporting Partnership, all children at Camps Hill participate in across County and local sports events. These ensure children experience competitive events and have an opportunity to apply their sportsmanship skills with other schools.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

The school follows the Hertfordshire RE syllabus which ensures that the children learn about all the religions of the world. Assemblies contribute to the knowledge of special occasions and children and their families come to share with the school information about how they celebrate these events at home. The school has a link to the Christian ‘Bridgebuilders’ organisation who come in half termly for assemblies. The local Reverend visits the school for community performances and talks to the children in assemblies; these talks coincide with main events occurring in the Christian calendar such as advent.

Resources in classrooms are regularly audited to ensure that they reflect our multi-cultural society and stereotypes are challenged.

Part of our vision at Camps Hill is to prepare the children of the future to become valued members of society. Promoting British Values enables children to develop a sense of community and begin to understand their responsibilities and role within it.