British Values
At Hawthorn Community Primary School, British values are promoted in much of what we do - during school assemblies, Religious Education and Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) sessions. The values are also integral to our vision and closely intertwined with our school values.
In addition to actively promoting British values, we also actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British values, including ‘extremist’ views.
The British values we espouse are not unique to Britain. We acknowledge that they differ in no way from the values of the many countries and the cultural backgrounds represented by families at Hawthorn Community Primary School.
Below are examples of the ways in which we promote British Values in our teaching and throughout the school.
Being part of Britain
We value and celebrate being part of Britain. In general terms, this means that we celebrate traditions and customs in the course of the year; for example, Harvest Festival during the Autumn Term. We also value and celebrate national events, such as Remembrance Day in November.
Furthermore, children learn about being part of Britain from different perspectives. Two specific examples of when we teach about being part of Britain are:
In History lessons, key moments and significant figures in British history are studied in the topics such as ‘The Fire of London’ while in Geography lessons children learn about the coasts, rivers and mountains and where Britain is in relation to other countries in the world.
Democracy
At Hawthorn Community Primary School, democracy is central to how we operate.
The annual elections of the School Council members, School Ambassadors and Pupil Parliament representatives reflect our British electoral system and demonstrate democracy in action: candidates make speeches, pupils consider characteristics important for an elected representative, pupils vote in secret etc. Made up of a representative from each class, the School Council meets regularly to discuss issues raised. The council is able to effect change within the school.
Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to respect the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard.
Rules and Laws
The importance of rules and laws, whether they be those that govern our school or our country, are referred to and reinforced often, such as in assemblies and when reflecting on behaviour choices. At the start of the school year, each class discusses the school expectations of behaviour and class routines.
Pupils 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.
Individual Liberty
Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Through the provision of a safe, supportive environment, we provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely.
Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are taught how to exercise these safely, such as in our PSHE lessons.
Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
Hawthorn Community Primary School serves a culturally diverse area and we are proud to promote and celebrate all different backgrounds and beliefs. Tolerance, politeness and mutual respect are at the heart of our aims and ethos.
Our pupils know and understand our expectations that respect is shown to everyone and everything, whatever differences we may have. All members of the school community are encouraged to treat each other with respect.