British Values

At Somerset Bridge Primary School, we develop and promote British Values throughout our school and within our curriculum. We want to ensure our children become valuable and fully rounded members of society who treat others with respect and leave school fully prepared for life in modern Britain.

What are the British Values?

• Democracy
• The Rule of Law
• Individual Liberty
• Mutual Respect and Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs

What do our children learn through the British Values?

• An understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process.
• An understanding that the freedom to hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law.
• An acceptance that people having different faiths and beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated and not be the cause of discriminatory behaviour.
• An understanding of the importance of discrimination and identifying and combating it.

How do we embed the British Values into the life of our school?

Democracy  

Children, parents and staff have opportunities to express their opinions and have their voice heard at Somerset Bridge.  Pupil, parent and staff voice takes place and the results of which are shared with all of our key stakeholders.  The election of the School Council members and School Ambassadors reflects our British electoral system and demonstrates democracy in action: candidates make speeches, pupils consider characteristics important for an elected representative, pupils vote in secret using ballot boxes etc. Made up of one representative from each class, the School Council meets regularly to discuss issues raised by the different classes.  The council has its own budget and is able to effect change within the school.  Additionally, the Ambassadors meet weekly with the Deputy Headteacher to discuss key school issues and plan whole school events. In the past, the School Council and Ambassadors have hosted fundraising activities and helped to provide equipment for our school grounds as selected by the children; have designed and led whole school events such as cake sales for charity and talent shows!

The Rule of Law

The importance of rules and laws, whether they be those that govern our school or our country, are referred to and reinforced often, such as in assemblies and when reflecting on behaviour choices. At the start of the school year, each class discusses its set of class rules to ensure all can learn in a safe and ordered environment with these rules then being displayed in each class throughout the year. This value is reinforced in different ways, including visits from authorities such as the police and fire service, and during Religious Education when rules for particular faiths are thought about. These values are also considered during other school subjects where there is respect and appreciation for different rules, such as in sports lessons. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws – that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when the rules and laws are broken.

Individual Liberty

Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, through the provision of a safe environment and planned curriculum, and to understand and exercise their rights and personal freedom safely, for example through our e-Safety teaching and use of the playpods and scrapstore during break times. Through opportunities such as our extra-curricular clubs, Golden Time and residential trips, pupils are given the freedom to make safe choices.

Mutual Respect

We have high expectations of achievement and behaviour. Children and staff are polite and we listen to and respect each other. All members of the school family are valued equally. Children learn that their behaviour choices have an effect on their own rights and those of others. We celebrate lunch time behaviour through 'Behave your Best' and we celebrate each other’s achievements whether that be in or out of school through our weekly celebration assemblies and 'Star of the Week'. Teachers plan exciting, interesting, challenging and innovative lessons where everybody is expected to do their best and respect others. Our older children are given key roles and responsibilities to work alongside younger children, e.g. Reading Buddies, Ambassadors and Play Leaders which helps to promote mutual respect across the age phases.

Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs

At Somerset Bridge we are proud to promote and celebrate our different backgrounds and beliefs. Our pupils know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone and to everything, whatever differences we may have. Our class names are selected by the children each year and follow themes to promote diversity within our curriculum and school-life; we ask classes to consider influential people, artists and authors from a wide range of cultural backgrounds and beliefs.  Children are encouraged to share their own experiences when celebrating their own faith and assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE. As a school, we enjoy celebrating a range of different religious festivals throughout the school year.