British Values
The government set out their definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy. These were reinforced in September 2014 due to events that took place. These new regulations will sit alongside the requirements of the Equalities Act, which also applies to all types of schools. Schools will be expected to focus on, and be able to show, how our work with pupils is effective in embedding fundamental British values. Barr Beacon School pupils will encounter these principles throughout everyday school life. In particular, our promotion of spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding, PHSE, Safeguarding curriculum and Topic days have been commended by various external reviewers. They are particularly prevalent in our Beacon Values.
The curriculum is mapped in detail across the whole school.
Listed below are some examples of how we promote these values in our school community:
Individual Liberty
We invest a great deal of time in creating a positive culture in our school, so that children are in a safe environment where choices and freedoms are encouraged. In lessons, learning tasks can be left for the child to decide upon. We encourage children to choose the task that will challenge them, giving them more freedom to determine their own learning. We offer a range of clubs which pupils have the freedom to choose from, based on their interests.
Through our E-Safety, social studies, assemblies and topic day sessions, we educate children on their rights and personal freedoms as well as supporting them in recognising how to exercise these freedoms safely. At the School we believe that valuing choice and freedom in daily school life will foster a value for individual liberty as the children embark upon their adult lives.
The Rule of Law
Our pupils will encounter rules and laws throughout their entire lives. We want our pupils to understand that whether these laws govern the class, the school, the neighbourhood or the country, they are set for good reasons and must be adhered to.
This understanding of the importance of rules will be consistently reinforced through assemblies and our curriculum. The involvement of our pupils in the creation of the school rules helps them to understand the reasons behind the rules and the consequences if they are broken. Through enquiry in lessons, we allow opportunity to debate and discuss the reasons for laws so that children can recognise the importance of these for their own protection. Throughout the year we welcome visits from members of the wider community including police, the fire brigade and many more. We believe that clear explanations and real life stories emphasise the importance of the rule of law for our pupils.
Mutual Respect
Mutual respect is at the core of our school life. Students learn to treat each other and staff with great respect. This is evident when walking around the school and in the classrooms.
Democracy
Our pupil school council plays a strong role in our school. They are elected within their forms and are involved in making the school a better place to learn. Pupils have a great amount of input in regards to what and how they learn, which promotes pupil voice.
Pupil questionnaires and interviews are also conducted throughout the year. We know that the formation of the school council and the active participation of our pupils will sow the seeds for a more sophisticated understanding of democracy in the future.
Acceptance of different faiths and beliefs
At the school we offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which all major religions are studied and respected. At the school we strongly believe that acceptance is gained through knowledge and understanding. Through our curriculum and the routines of our daily school life, we strive to demonstrate tolerance and help children to become knowledgeable and understanding citizens who can build a better Britain for the future.
Beacon Values
What it means to be a Barr Beacon pupil.
Beacon Values teach our pupils explicitly about their rights, responsibilities and diversity within our society. Through the teaching of a discrete unit of work we teach our pupils about character values and how our Beacon Values exemplify the behaviours and attitudes needed to be a successful citizen. By learning about the ideas of Being Yourself, Equal to others, Act Responsibly, Consideration of others and the Environment, Own your actions and Never discriminate, pupils will learn about the history or prejudice and its effects on individuals and society. Pupils will also learn about individuals who changed history and brought about a more fair and just society.
Beacon Values are taught through high quality texts about role models that exemplify our school’s values. Pupils will investigate and explore these role models and the ideas of Beacon Values. Ultimately pupils will be asked to reflect on how they can put these values into practice both in school and out of school each year in order to support them in being ‘proud to succeed.
