Sevenoaks Primary School

British Values

Teaching British Values

It is ours and every school’s responsibility 'to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs'.

At Sevenoaks Primary School, we recognise the importance of this as part of our vision to ensure our children are good, responsible citizens. The teaching of these values is both implicit, through the way we as staff, model behaviour and recognise it in the children and explicit through specific lessons that explore what British values mean. This is achieved through our PSHE curriculum, circle time, cross curricular links and in assemblies.

Below are the values and how we promote them.

Democracy

Sevenoaks Primary has a Pupil Parliament. New members are elected each year from every class in years 2-6.  Children who want to run for parliament write a statement to support their proposal to be their year group representative. The children then decide by voting who will represent them. Children understand that a place in the parliament comes with the responsibility of representing their peers’ needs and interests. Two Well-being Ambassadors from each class are elected by their peers to act as role models and promote well-being throughout the school.

Democracy is taught during assemblies and in PSHE sessions. Teachers are also reactive to current affairs by encouraging open discussion with their classes.

Children have opportunities to express their views through pupil voice interviews and questionnaires.  Each year, a member of the Governing body visits the Pupil Parliament to discuss issues from the school improvement plan, so that they can obtain the children's perspective. They also have the opportunity to report anything of interest to them back to the Governors.

The Rule of Law

Behaviour and safety are consistently good and are both seen as a priority by the entire school community. They are discussed throughout the year in class and assemblies.

At the beginning of each academic year, new classes work collaboratively to draw up a set of class rules that they then endeavour to follow. These are displayed in the classrooms so that the children are reminded of them.

All children understand that their behaviour should set an excellent example to others. They are also aware that how they behave whilst outside of school represents the school and as such, they maintain the high level of behaviour expected of them. 

Many of our children become leaders enforcing rules and ensuring the safety and well-being of their peers.  These include:

  • Y6 monitors

  • Y6 House captains

  • Y5 young sports leaders

  • Y4 monitors

  • Y2 young sports leaders

  • The Well-being Ambassadors

  • Sports team captains

  • Club leaders

 

Individual Liberty

Sevenoaks Primary is a safe place for children and as such, children feel comfortable in their learning environment. Children are taught boundaries but within these, they are free to take risks with their learning, make mistakes and suggest thoughts and ideas freely. In classes, children are comfortable contributing and making decisions to further their own learning. Whether it is through deciding on a level of challenge, of how they record or what they research, pupils are given freedom to make choices.

 

Children are taught to understand their rights and know how to exercise these safely, for example through our online safety and PSHE lessons.

Mutual Respect

The three school rules that sum up all that we do are:

  • Be Ready
  • Be Respectful
  • Be Safe

 

Assemblies and PSHE regularly cover respect. Pupils discuss what this means and how it is shown. An example of this is our focus on carefully selecting books which include protected characteristics. Through showing kindness, manners, support etc., you can promote both yours and others well-being and mental health.
We also have assemblies that focus on ‘The six ways to well-being’ which include connecting with people and caring for the planet.

Children are celebrated and rewarded in phase assemblies with the presentation of certificates for exceptional learning, attitude and behaviour. All attributes are praised highly and every child can earn house-points for their houses by showing their excellent manners, their caring attitude and their contribution to the well-being of everyone in the school.

We have a Compliments Day each year in which we ensure that we compliment as much of our school community as we can. This includes families, staff and peers. Children are reminded of the importance of not taking people for granted, they become aware of the good qualities of those around them and learn that it feels as good to give a compliment as well as to receive one.

Tolerance of those with Different Faiths and Beliefs

We achieve this through enhancing pupils’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society.  Our RE curriculum is broad and children learn about all the major faiths.  The Geography curriculum has been adapted to ensure that on their journey through school, children will learn about people from different continents, their lifestyle and beliefs. We also look at the British people and how we, as a nation, are diverse in our own lifestyles and beliefs. 


Displays are used to celebrate all the different parts of the world that our children originate from and assemblies are used to inform children about celebrations and festivals from other religions.