As part of our co-operative ideals, key British values are both central and nurtured within all year groups. The list on this page explores some focused elements which are both a key part of the school ethos, and part of new government guidance on values taught in primary schools.

Children take a tour around the Houses of Parliament with local MP Stuart Andrew, during a visit including School Councillors.

How we promote British Values:

Democracy:

At Southroyd Primary School we ensure that pupils are given a ‘voice’ and that their pupil voice is heard. Through our Investors in Pupils work, we empower all of our pupils by giving them opportunities to make democratic choices about the things that they believe to be important. Our school council are active in listening to, and raising the views of their peers, and their suggestions are acted on by the staff. Pupils lead whole school assemblies and help to organise school-wide events. By valuing each ‘voice’ and by listening and responding to that voice we demonstrate that we support democracy and liberty.

Mutual Respect:

The children are encouraged to visit and work within different age groups across school, this helps the older pupils to appreciate the needs of even the youngest members of their school community. For example. Year 6 take part in a Buddy system with Reception during local visits, as well as organising a whole school Sports Day for the younger year groups. Children in Key Stage 2 are invited to adopt the roles of various adults in school during Take Over Week in order to appreciate the work that goes on behind the scenes in the daily running of their school. In addition, opportunities for pupils to work alongside and meet members of the local community are planned for such as: FOSS seasonal events hosted within the school grounds, community functions (choir visits to old people’s homes) and visits to other local schools. Our relationship with Bachpan School in India is also celebrated with an annual visit from Bachpan staff and pupils, and visits to Bachpan from Southroyd staff. This relationship is an important vehicle through which we facilitate opportunities for Southroyd pupils to not just be part of their local community, but a wider global community as well.

Rule of Law:

We involve pupils in the setting of our school rules; helping pupils to make decisions and choices that are acceptable to the school community and society at large. Pupils are supported to manage their behaviour, both personal and learning behaviours, and take responsibility for their own actions. All classes participate in Mindset work, supporting children to work independently and boost pupil’s self-esteem. Staff help pupils at all ages to understand the connection between actions and consequences, and our sanctions and rewards system is consistent throughout school. This type of environment enables pupils to feel safe and secure and confident.

Individual Liberty:

All pupils at Southroyd Primary School are encouraged to become active citizens. We do this by supporting pupils to become as independent as possible, both as learners and as members of our school community. We believe this helps children to take responsibility for their actions and achievements and helps to boost their self-esteem. We teach the children that everyone has rights, including the right to disagree and share their feelings and opinions with others, linking to our ‘MindMate’ SMSC work. Some pupils are able to take responsibility for particular roles around school, looking after our school environment and supporting their peers. Pupils are taught to understand that with certain rights comes a level of responsibility. We also participate in wider charitable events such as Denim for Dementia Day, Red Nose Day/Comic Relief, Children in Need and the collection and distribution of food through local foodbanks.

Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs:

Southroyd Primary School has worked hard to promote a culture of tolerance among it’s pupils and their families, where each person is respected and valued equally without regard to ability, gender, faith, heritage or race. Cultural appreciation and development form part of our curriculum. We place great emphasis on providing real and relevant experiences and participation in events and celebrations to broaden all pupils’ experiences and awareness of others. As they progress through school, children visit local Churches, Mosques and Synagogues as well as benefiting from visits to school from local faith leaders and speakers such as a Holocaust survivor and a local artist.

Pupils are able to experience and celebrate British Culture through our curriculum themes. Some of these include; pupils from Reception to Year 6 enjoying our annual Shakespeare week. Pupils participating in reflective and immersive Refugee Week work and British authors being celebrated during World Book Day.

At Southroyd we take part in key events within the national calendar, like a national referendum or the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta.

Centenary of Rememberance

With the 100th year anniversary of the signing of the Armistice, children took part in events within Pudsey to remember the brave who had lost their lives since the First World War which ended 100 years ago, in 1918.

Referendum for European Membership

With the media focus on BREXIT we talked about the position of the UK within the European Union and the reasons for an against staying in Europe. Children took part in a referendum on the 23rd June 2016, voting 62% in favour of staying within the European Union, although this led to a lot of strong debate within classes about the emotive topic.

As active citizens, our children attend British Legion remembrance events and develop their understanding of related concepts.

Children took part in presenting their own reasons to become a School Councillor. Classes talked at length about democracy and the importance of choosing a candidate who would represent the views of the class. Over 100 children stood for School Council in 2018.

Government Guidance

A key part of the plan for education is to ensure children become valuable and fully rounded members of society who treat others with respect and tolerance, regardless of background.

We want every school to promote the basic British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs.

This ensures young people understand the importance of respect and leave school fully prepared for life in modern Britain.

Examples of the understanding and knowledge pupils are expected to learn include:

• an understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process

• 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

• an understanding of the importance of identifying and combatting discrimination

Referendum for Scottish Independence

We thought it was really important for children to be aware of the referendum in Scotland that was significant in the media in September 2014. As a result, we talked about the United Kingdom and how laws and rules were made. Children were then invited to take part in a Referendum themselves, voting with a majority thinking that Scotland should stay as part of the United Kingdom.

800th Anniversary of Magna Carta

At Southroyd the children will be looking at the important charter for freedoms and rights signed 800 years ago before June 2015.

It is the perfect time for our children to update their own school rules which fit with our aim "to be the best we can" and link to our work on growth mindsets.

You can find out more about Magna Carta from the links below:

http://magnacarta800th.com/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/british_history/magna_carta/