British Values

British Values Statement

At Ivington C of E Primary we promote ‘British Values’ throughout all aspects of our curriculum and practices: through the development of spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and by valuing each child and their contribution to our school community; through recognising its importance to each child’s development and wellbeing.

‘British values’ are identified as:

Democracy

Our children have a ‘voice’ and are consulted on school issues whenever possible. We have a School Council that is democratically elected by peers and staff collectively. They meet half-termly with teaching staff to discuss concerns raised by their peers. Years 5 and 6 will also visit the Houses of Parliament in July when they take part in their residential trip to London.

Rule of Law

Children are fully involved in establishing appropriate school rules and practices. They discuss and agree these each year and understand the need for them to be in place and kept. They sign an agreement whereby they are formally agreeing to work within these at all times. A system of rewards and sanctions is established based on these rules to which the children all adhere.

Individual Liberty

The school ethos is one that truly reflects the basic needs and liberties of all of God’s children. All children have the right to feel safe and secure at Ivington and everyone contributes to that. Independence is strongly encouraged as necessary for each child’s development. Children have a range of responsibilities and are strongly encouraged to be independently responsible for this undertaking. Children are encourage to look at the liberties of others and are supported in their fund-raising ideas, eg. to support Comic Relief, links with children’s charities in other countries as well as locally. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-safety, lessons and assemblies. Whether it be through choice of challenge, of how they record, participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect

Our aim is to be a fully inclusive school community at all times. The size of our school ensures that all children have many opportunities to get to know one another but there are additional ways in which this is managed:

encourage friendships across the age groups; We have a “Buddy” system for those children starting in reception each year. This develops friendships across the school. Our pupils take part in a range of inter-school activities and events within the county. These include Singing and many sporting and multi-skill events, most of which are competitive. All experiences develop a strong sense of ‘team spirit’ and ‘fair play’. Posters around the school promote respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom, golden rules and behaviour policy. The staff lead by example, respecting the pupils and other members of staff.

Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs

Our children and families come from a diverse range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds which we thoroughly embrace. Opportunities are taken to work together and learn from one another by sharing knowledge and experiences. The teaching of Religious Education and collective worship provide a range of opportunities to extend knowledge and develop understanding and empathy. Children are encouraged to show their appreciation for all faiths and festivals through study within the curriculum as well as through music and art forms.

Our children have wide experiences of British Culture through our curriculum. Both World Wars are studied as are the Victorians. Local areas of historic interest are also visited for example The Black and White House.

Alongside this we have strong links with Tanzania, each year we host visitors who come into our school and talk to our pupils. This ensures the children of Ivington are aware of the wider world. It ensures the children have an understanding of differences, globally and mutual respect for people in the wider world as well as our local community.