Promoting British Values at Berkswich

British Values - Statement

British Values underpin and permeate all aspects of learning and school life at Berkswich.

Berkswich is committed to serving its community. We recognise the multi-cultural, multi faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. We have a vital role in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them. We follow equal opportunities guidance, which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. 

Berkswich CE strives endlessly to ensure that its students leave with the strongest foundation of values upon which to build a successful life and a successful contribution to our Society. Please click on the links below to find out more about how British Values are embedded within school and the children's wider lives.

Our recognition of the importance of PSHE Education is clearly reflected in our dynamic and relevant curriculum. Discrete lessons ensure direct teaching, whist strands of this important learning weave throughout the wider curriculum and beyond school. For more information and examples of the impact of this learning can be viewed using the link below.

Berkswich is dedicated to preparing children for their adult life beyond the formal curriculum, ensuring that it promotes and reinforces British values to all children.  The Government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools.  The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy. 

The five British Values are: 

• democracy 

• the rule of law 

• individual liberty 

• mutual respect 

• tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs 

We use strategies within the National curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for all children.  The examples, which follow, show some of the many ways our school seeks to embed British values. 

Democracy 

The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced, with democracy processes being used for important decisions within the school community. For instance, elections are held for School Councillor positions and at various times during the year when choosing judges or teams to take on a project. The principle of democracy is also explored in the History and Religious Education curriculum, as well as in assemblies.  

The rule of law 

The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at school. Students are taught the rules and expectations of the school, which are echoed across aspects, such as our home-school agreements and classroom rules and contracts. RE provides a meaninful way in which to understand how people's lives are impacted by the rules which they live by. Students are taught the value and the reasons behind laws that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.  Visits from authorities, such as the Police, the Fire Service, Paramedics and other Health Care professionals, help to reinforce this message. 

Individual liberty 

At Berkswich, students are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Staff at Berkswich educate and provide boundaries for children to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. 

All of our children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely. For example, they take part in e-safety lessons and days and learn about charities, such as the NSPCC. 

Mutual Respect 

Respect is vital part of live at Berkswich and is one of our core values.  Children learn that their behaviour has an effect on their own rights and those of others.  All members of the school community treat each other with respect and this is reiterated through our teaching and learning environment.  

Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum, by providing the opportunity for children to express their views in a safe environment with the school vision, values and ethos being shared and owned by all. 

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs 

This is achieved though equipping children with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by providing opportunities to experience such diversity within the school community.  Our children benefit from visits from those from other countries, faiths and cultures. Penpal systems are used to share aspects of their own culture, as well as to enable them to learn about those which vary from their own. Additionally, children are actively encouraged to share their faith and beliefs within the school and celebrate festivities throughout the calendar year.  The Religious Education curriculum, which follows the Staffordshire Agreed Syllabus, provides a broad and balanced education based on a range of faiths, religions and cultures.