PROMOTING BRITISH VALUES
All maintained schools must meet the requirements set out in section 78 of the Education Act 2002 and promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development of their pupils. Through ensuring pupils’ SMSC development, schools can also demonstrate they are actively promoting fundamental British values. (Nov 2014)
At Westdene Primary School, we engage with the different strands in the following ways:
DEMOCRACY
Each year, pupils vote for two school councillors. This is achieved through a democratic voting policy and includes pupils being given the opportunity to say or write down why they want to apply for this role. The councillors play an important part in school improvement, choosing their own projects, being set challenges by different staff members and acting as the voice of their classmates. They regularly ask their class for feedback and report back to the council. The democratic process is also used to vote for eco councillors and arts ambassadors.
INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY
At Westdene Primary school, we develop self-esteem, self-confidence and self-knowledge through the language of growth mindset and the use of our learning animals. This makes learning visible and explicit and promotes the traits needed to be confident, independent learners. We also promote individual choice when learning, often offering self-selected challenges and open-ended group challenges. Through e-safety and PSHE lessons, pupils are consistently encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely. Westdene also reinforces the message that each child is an individual and we celebrate everyones unique talents.
MUTUAL RESPECT AND TOLERANCE OF THOSE OF DIFFERENT FAITHS AND BELIEFS
Pupils and staff care for and support each other and model respectful behaviours. This reflects our school motto TEAM: TOGETHER EVERYONE ACHIEVES MORE. We actively promote diversity through our understanding and celebration of different faiths and cultures. Religious Education lessons, PSHE lessons and assemblies reinforce messages of tolerance, understanding and respect for others. Our curriculum includes stories and learning from different countries and cultures as well as linking to important issues such as refugees and our whole school theme each year offers the school community opportunities to celebrate diversity and challenge prejudiced or discriminatory behaviour.
We have a rigorous reporting system which records and deals sensitively with any isolated but prejudiced comments made by children to others.
