Promoting Fundamental British Values at Bankwood Primary School
In accordance with The Department for Education, we aim to actively promote British values in our school to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. Pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law.
The Key British Values are:
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democracy
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rule of law
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individual liberty
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mutual respect
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tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
The concepts and ideals of British Values are visited and revisited throughout school life, and taught more explicitly through the PSHE curriculum (Jigsaw). This ensures they are fully embedded in the whole school approach rather than being taught as one-off lessons.
How is each of the British Values included in a Jigsaw Lesson?
The British Values are promoted through the use of the Jigsaw Learning Charter which is shared at the beginning of every Jigsaw PSHE lesson. The Learning Charter is child-centred and aims to encourage children to work together and follow a set of ‘ground rules’ to create a safe, positive learning environment.
Democracy
Democracy is evident across all units within our PSHE programme. Children have lots of opportunities for their voices to be heard through whole class, group or paired discussions. The Learning Charter aims to ensure that all lessons establish a safe learning environment. The ‘ground rules’ of the Learning Charter invite children to sign and agree to try and stick to the rules during all PSHE lessons. It encourages children (and adults alike) to listen carefully to one another, and respect the right of others whilst having opportunities to have their own opinions and voices heard. PSHE lessons encourage children to take ownership of their learning through their ‘Help Me Reflect’ time when recording their thoughts, feelings and ideas. Many of the Jigsaw PSHE lessons include ‘Pause for Thought’ moments, whereby children can reflect in the moment; considering their thoughts and feelings. Opportunities are given to all of the children to share their thinking, thoughts and ideas with others if they feel comfortable doing so.
The Rule of Law
The Rule of Law is evident in every PSHE lesson when beginning the session with the Learning Charter. Establishing a safe, comfortable environment for all children (and adults) to learn in is paramount to every lesson. Children are also taught about their rights as a child, including those from The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). These are included in all puzzle pieces. Children are taught the value, importance and reasoning behind why rules exist. There are lots of opportunities throughout all age groups to explore making positive choices as well as how this balances with consequences. Making positive behavioural choices is explored through class, partner and group discussions. Opportunities for children to explore their thoughts during ‘Pause for Thought’ moments invite children to consider how they feel in the present moment, impacting choices and individual thinking.
Individual Liberty
Our PSHE curriculum provides a structured programme of personal development to nurture the ‘whole child’ and increase learning capacity, underpinned by mindfulness philosophy and practice. Our curriculum begins this teaching right from the beginning in the Early Years Foundation Stage and offers opportunities for children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development. Children are provided with opportunities to make informed choices and feel comfortable expressing their views. The ethos of a Jigsaw lesson aims to always make every child feel welcomed, valued and comfortable and therefore promotes a positive learning environment.
Mutual respect
One of the key aspects of our PSHE curriculum is how we enable and teach children to have respectful discussions on sensitive subjects. The curriculum provides a structured lesson format in which a safe learning environment is created. As children get older they build on previous knowledge and skills to develop their ability to listen to others respectfully, debate other people’s views and consider ways that we can be accepting of those who may be different to ourselves. Even in lessons where different points of view are encouraged, and issues may be debated, the Learning Charter is always revisited and its expectations reinforced. This ensures that children feel enabled to freely express their faith, feelings and values in an environment of mutual respect.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
The Celebrating Difference puzzle specifically looks at how we might differ in many ways, but that there are human and
spiritual elements in us all where we can find a connection and empathy with each other, no matter how much the world
might find difference a cause for conflict. Our PSHE curriculum aims to go beyond ‘tolerance’ to help children ‘celebrate difference’, their own individuality and that of others. The children learn to be interested in what makes us all unique from as young as 3 years old and this includes the way we embody our beliefs, feelings and values. For children 7 years and over, elements of the Equality Act are examined within this puzzle which again ensures that the faiths, feelings and values of others are respected.
