Promoting Fundamental British values as part of SMSC in School: AUDIT September 2015
Churchend School, actively promotes the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual
respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs in the following ways.
Good practice in schools includes:
Evidence in school
Next Steps
Standard 5(a) Fundamental British
values
An understanding of how citizens can
Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through
Year 6 council representatives
influence decision-making through the
our School Council, pupil and parent questionaries’ and
could be invited to attend a
democratic process;
through Pupil Voice sessions. Elections of School Council reps governor’s meeting, so that
are undertaken in each class, with annual Governors’ Day,
governors and pupils get a
allowing governors to interview pupils directly as to how pupils
chance to hear each other’s
view their school. We have good links with our local M.P., who views.
demonstrates to the pupils how at a local level they can
influence wider decision making. The year 6 pupils visit the
The school council could meet
Houses of Parliament each year to observe the ‘home of our
every month with the Head
democracy’.
teacher to discuss issues
raised in council meetings. The
council could have its own
small budget and choose how
to spend it to effect change
within the school. Each term
the pupils in each class could
nominate and vote for pupils to
achieve a ‘kindness’,
‘excellence’, ’friendship’
certificate.
Pupils could nominate various
charities important to them,
and then within their own class,
select two to go forward to the
School Council, who then vote
to decide two school charities
which we support over the
course of the year.
Pupils could be involved with
developing playground rules in
a similar way as they do with
the classroom rules.
An appreciation that living under the rule of
law protects individual citizens and
is essential for their wellbeing and safety
Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws for both
school and country e.g.’ that they protect us’, the
responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when
laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as police, fire, and
ambulance are planned into our school calendar to help
reinforce this message. At the beginning of the school year all
classes discuss and agree their class rules. We also promote
respect and appreciation for different rules – in a sports lesson,
for example.
An understanding that the freedom to hold
other faiths and beliefs is protected
in law;
During R.E. and P.S.H.E discussions and topics involving
prejudices and bullying, related to faith or religion are
challenged, with pupils being encouraged to see the positive
aspects of difference and that the law protects these
differences.
We could consider starting a
debating club which would
promote a positive way of
challenging different
viewpoints.
An acceptance that people having different
faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none)
should be accepted and tolerated, and
should not be the cause of prejudicial or
discriminatory behaviour
We help pupils understand their place in a culturally diverse
society, by giving them opportunities to experience diversity
through assemblies, where members of different faiths or
religions are encouraged to share their knowledge, to enhance
the pupil’s learning and understanding. The school holds
events at the local church and pupils have the opportunity to
visit other centres of worship such as the Reading Synagogue.
We could plan more
opportunities for pupils to enjoy
an in depth study during
Community Themed Weeks,
where we could celebrate and
enjoy learning about the
differences in countries and
cultures around the word .At
other times we might consider
groups or individuals who
might be vulnerable in some
way, such as those with mental
An understanding of the importance of
identifying and combatting
discrimination.
Pupils are encouraged to treat each other with mutual respect
and form positive relationships, where they can work in a
climate where openness trust and inclusion lay the foundations
for their future lives. All classes have weekly Circle Time,
where pupils are encouraged to air views and concerns. Pupils
are taught the rules of this session, to respect others
contributions and value others differences. We promote gender
equality, respect and fair play by giving all pupils the chance to
experience a large variety of sports during their P.E. sessions
and in a more competitive way in the wider community. Time is
offered to Pupil Premium pupils before school in order for them
to have access to I.C.T equipment, so as to give them the
same opportunities as their peers. Pupils take part in National
awareness weeks such as anti-bullying week and black history
month which help combat discrimination.
Standard 5(b) Principles are actively
promoted
Enable pupils to develop their selfChildren are actively encouraged to voice their opinions and
knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence we foster an environment where pupils feel safe to disagree
with others and discuss differences in views in a positive
environment. Pupils are actively encouraged to make choices,
knowing that they are in a safe and supporting environment,
our P.S.H.E. teaching underpins and supports this decision
making and enables pupils to make the right choices. During
P.S.H.E teaching we promote the vocabulary required to enter
into dialogue with others with their decision making. Pupils who
struggle to make positive choices are identified and given
support through our E.L.S.A. program. Pupil are encouraged to
know, understand and exercise their rights, personal freedoms
and boundaries and how to exercise these safely e.g. through
our E-Safety program, P.S.H.E. lessons and the school ethos.
We identify both pupils who are gifted and talented or those
health issues.
Pupils could take part in more
awareness weeks as part of
planned assemblies, such as
children’s mental health week
to broaden their awareness of
other types of discrimination
and challenges.
In all subjects but in particular
combined studies pupils could
decide as a class which topics
they would like to explore
further, how they would like to
learn certain skills in subjects
and this can then be used to
inform the teacher’s planning.
who are challenged by their learning, by providing appropriate
intervention to ensure all pupils meet their full potential. We
give pupils choices in how they record their work and whether
they participate in numerous afterschool clubs offered. Pupils
who are identified as being disadvantaged or causing concern
are supported by staff involving outside agencies for support
and help i.e. C.A.T meetings. Older pupils are given buddy
roles to help younger children with reading and playtime
games.
Enable pupils to distinguish right from
wrong and to respect the civil and criminal
law of England
By consistently reinforcing our high expectations throughout
the school day, we highlight the importance of laws whether
they are those that govern class, school or country, all
teachers deal with behaviours in a positive, fair and consistent
way. This is also reinforced within school assemblies. We have
an agreed reward and sanction policy e.g. stickers or Dojo’s
that all pupils and staff are involved with to raise standards.
There are weekly rewards for exhibiting good and caring
behaviour and consistent demonstration of our values is
recognised through such things as ‘Star of the Week’ awards
and Head Teacher Awards for being placed in the Golden
Book.
Encourage pupils to accept responsibility
for their behaviour, show initiative and
understand how they can contribute
positively to the lives of those living and
working in the locality
We encourage pupils to reflect and question what they see, to
enable them to make sense of the world around them. We
teach them to be understanding and come up with solutions
rather than judging others and getting cross. We help them to
understand that values are important in order for people in their
society to get along with each other. We take part in many
charity days both locally and nationally which benefit others.
Pupils also visit the local special school and enjoy sharing
We could encourage pupils to
do more volunteering in and
out of school. This could
include things like the EcoCouncil, sports leaders, I.C.T.
support and lunch helpers.
experiences with them, they also visit Chimney Court, raising
funds for the elderly and buying Christmas treats for them and
having social interaction, this reinforces their role in the
community.
Enable pupils to acquire a broad general
knowledge of and respect for public
institutions and services in England
By having a variety of visitors and making visits, the pupils are
taught the work and importance of various public institutes.
Pupils are involved with many wider business centres e.g.
Rolls Royce environmental project which has involved the
pupils working towards and with the local community also Sky
T.V. and Green Park renewable energies. We promote the
pupils to have aspirations for a brighter future, realising they
can achieve and are not limited in their goals.
Respect for their own and other cultures
We promote all pupils to have pride in their culture, families,
belief and heritage by incorporating the celebration of festivals
which reflect our schools diverse makeup to allow the pupils to
feel proud of who they are.
We could add a multicultural
page to our website to illustrate
our commitment to exploring
our diverse school community.
We could extend our
collections of class library
books to include a bigger
selection of different cultural
stories and information books.
Enable pupils to distinguish right from
wrong and to respect authority and laws.
Through working with the Community Police Officer pupils
learn to understand why laws are in place.
Throughout the year we could
plan in more visits from
members of the wider
community including, war
veterans, coast guards and
paramedics. These visitors
would offer clear explanations
and real life stories
emphasising the importance of
the rule of law for our pupils.
Standard 5(c) Political Views
The school cannot promote partisan
political views in the teaching of any subject
in school.
Standard 5(d) Political Issues
NA
School enables the pupils to consider all aspects of life,
differences and to have the understanding and knowledge to
consider all that is offered and select according to merit, pupils
are always offered an unbiased argument or knowledge in
order for them to make their own minds choice.