Preparing Children for Life in Modern Britain

At Burton Agnes Church of England Primary School we take seriously our responsibility to prepare children for life in modern Britain. We provide age appropriate opportunities to actively promote British Values, defined by the government as the following:

  • Democracy
  • The rule of law
  • Individual liberty
  • Mutual respect
  • Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

Our aim is to ensure that these fundamental British Values are introduced, discussed and lived out through the school ethos and work of the school. Our curriculum will also provide a vehicle for furthering understanding of these concepts, providing excellent opportunities to deepen and develop understanding. Our aim is that our children embrace these concepts with enthusiasm and demonstrate a good understanding of how to apply them to their own lives.

The school makes considerable efforts to ensure children have exposure to a wide experience beyond their local community during which these concepts are shown, through for example, sporting events, a range of visits and use residential visits.

Democracy

The School Council at Burton Agnes plays an active part in the school community. Children have an understanding of their responsibility and opportunities to make school life better. Children are voted on to the school council by their class. The council meet regularly with a teacher to raise issues and have the opportunity to have their voices heard. Children have been instrumental in improving the quality of playtimes with their plans to improve play through rules and equipment and resources. The school council members feedback to their class and actively seek class views which are discussed at meetings. The Members of the school council are changed termly to allow for more children to experience this opportunity.

Pupil voice is an integral part of our learning processes. For example pupil interviews with governors have provided the opportunity to assess the quality of behaviour in the school. Our children regularly have the opportunity to engage in the process of debate and the whole school was involved in a general election with the children having political parties leaders manifestoes, public debates and an official vote. Within our curriculum provision our children are taught about and encouraged to respect public institutions and services. As a church school we have strong links and respect for the church as an institution. The school supports the poppy appeal and has demonstrated respect by making a wreaths to be displayed in the Remembrance Service.

The Rule of Law

At Burton Agnes Primary School the importance of laws are held in high regard both those that govern classroom and school life or the country. Children’s experience of being part of a school community means they learn to live by guidelines and rules that make for safe and fulfilling relationships for all. These are summarised in the school’s golden rules which the children devised collectively linked to our school values. The children are taught the values and reasons behind school rules, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when rules are broken. Through RE and Collective Worship, children develop their understanding of the role of rules to govern society through the learning about the Ten Commandments and the five pillars of Islam. Throughout the year we welcome visits from members of the wider community such as the police. Children in EYFS were upset about dogs fouling on the footpath outside school and took it upon themselves to make their own posters to display outside school to stop it.

Individual Liberty

At Burton Agnes we work to create a positive culture in our school, so that children are in a safe environment where choices and freedoms are encouraged. Within lessons learning is personalised according to our children’s needs and abilities. They understand they may have to take appropriate risk and may have to congratulate and be proud of a more successful peer on some occasions. Individual success is acknowledged in our weekly Special Mention assemblies. The school does not tolerate bullying (including cyber bullying). All staff use firm but fair behaviour strategies and the Behaviour Policy is regularly reviewed and updated. This allows our children to feel safe and secure at school. We offer a range of clubs which pupils have the freedom to choose from based on their interests. Through E Safety and PSHE, we educate the children on their rights and personal freedoms whilst supporting them to exercise them safely.

Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

The school ethos embraces mutual respect and children are actively taught that their behaviours can affect their own rights and those of others. It is understood across the entire school community that all members treat each other respectfully. The RE curriculum makes provision for children to understand and respect those of different faiths and beliefs. As a church school we regularly visit our local village church to hold school services at Christmas, Easter and Harvest. We are lucky to welcome a variety of visitors from a range of communities and organisations into school. The school has a link with a school in France and we hold a year International Week in School. All children in school actively become involved supporting a variety of charities throughout the school year. For example Children in Need, Sports/Comic Relief and MacMillan.

In addition to this we teach children about Britain and observe British traditions and customs.

For more information about British Values and our curriculum click here    /curriculum/british-values-in-the-burton-agnes-curriculum