British Values at Berkeley Primary School

At our school we uphold and teach pupils about British Values which are defined as:

• democracy
• rule of law
• individual liberty
• mutual respect
• tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

These values are taught explicitly through Personal, Social, Health and Emotional (PSHE), and Religious Education (RE). We also teach British Values through planning and delivering a broad and balanced curriculum. 

We take opportunities to actively promote British Values through our assemblies and whole school systems and structures such as electing School Council members. We also actively promote British values through ensuring that our curriculum planning and delivery includes real opportunities for exploring these values.

At Berkeley Primary School, these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy:

Democracy is an important value at our school. Children have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council, pupil questionnaires and classroom debates.  The election of members of the School Council are based on pupil votes.  

We take opportunities to hold votes for decisions made in the school and the classroom whenever possible, so the children can understand how democracy works in real situations and have their voice heard.  This might be as simple as voting for the activity for a Class Treat when getting 10 Class Points or a longer lasting one like the names of the Houses.   

We take opportunities like the local and general election to explore the voting system in Britain.  We use our curriculum to ensure our children understand how our country has become a democratic state, and how everyone is equal and has a right to vote, covering issues like the Suffragette movement.

The Rule of Law:

The importance of laws and rules, whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced at Berkeley Primary School.

Children are taught the Golden Rules on entry to Berkeley Primary and the high expectations dictated by these rules.  They learn that we are all responsible for our actions and we talk about right and wrong choices.  These Golden Rules are constantly referred to in classrooms, assemblies and by all staff, and are displayed throughout the school.  We celebrate and identify which rules the children are keeping and which aspect of the code they have broken to ensure that this connection is made and understood. To encourage and promote good behaviour, attitude and work, we have devised a reward system which is consistently followed throughout the school and our children value it.

Our children are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.  Visits from authorities such as the police, fire service etc. are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.

Visits to and from the Scunthorpe Magistrates Courtroom, Police Officers and Fire Service underpin and reinforce this message.  Our local Police Support Officers attend the school regularly to get to know the children and support our work with the community. 

Individual Liberty:

Children are actively encouraged to make choices at our school, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we provide boundaries for our children to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and planned curriculum. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-Safety teaching. Children are given the freedom to make a wide range of choices, from attending extra-curricular clubs to supporting fund raising activities. 

Mutual Respect:

Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy are based around core values such as ‘respect’ and ‘responsibility’ and these values determine how we live as a community at Berkeley Primary School. Our children know that their behaviour has an effect on their own rights and those of others.  Adults throughout our school model, demonstrate and promote respect for others as do older children who have responsibilities in the school. 

Tolerance of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:

Berkeley Primary School is situated in an area of cultural diversity, and as a result we place a great emphasis on promoting diversity with our children.  This is achieved through enhancing pupils’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. 

RE, PSHCE, our international and global teaching through our topic work and assemblies are regularly planned to address this issue either directly or through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths, cultures and countries. 

Councillors visit Year 6 for question and answer session

Three North Lincolnshire Councillors were put in the hot seat by Year 6 pupils as they visited Berkeley Primary School in Scunthorpe.

Leader of the council, Cllr Rob Waltham, Cllr David Rose and Cllr Helen Rowson took questions on the workings of the council, what the role of a councillor is and about council tax!

The visit was to help the pupils understand the democratic process in North Lincolnshire and the UK.

Cllr Rob Waltham, the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, explained what being the leader of the council meant, what councillors do, and what his favourite parts of his job are.  As cabinet member for Children, Families, Learning and Leisure,

Cllr David Rose explained how he was responsible for all the schools in North Lincolnshire and what he does to help them be the best schools they can be.  Cllr Helen Rowson explained the role of ward councillor, and her responsibilities as lead member for farming.

Headteacher, Anna Cvijetic, said “It’s important that the pupils learn about our democratic society, and understand how decisions are made locally.”

“It won’t be too long before they’re at the polling stations themselves and they need to know how they can decide how our area is run.”

“I’m really thankful to the councillors for coming in and taking the time to answer questions from our Year 6s.”

Cllr Rob Waltham, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said:

“We were thrilled to visit Berkeley Primary School to help the children learn about the democratic process. They weren’t shy with their questions and we talked about everything from how North Lincolnshire Council started back in 1996, to the new play areas at Normanby Hall Country Park and the future of Civic Centre.”

“I hope that by letting the school children ask questions of their local councillors from a young age – and see that we’re real people doing jobs just like their mums and dads – they’ll continue to engage with local democracy when they’re older and it will encourage them to get involved in making decisions that affect our communities.”

At the question time session at the school, one pupil asked Cllr Waltham, “What does your average day look like?”

“I wanted the children to see the wide range of what we do as a council, and all the people we as elected members work with to secure the best deal for them, their school, and their families at home. I don’t think they’d believe all the things we have to fit into the day if they saw my diary though!” continued Cllr Waltham.