British Values

We at Great Moor Infant School take opportunities to actively promote British Values, defined by the government as the following:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect
• Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

At Great Moor Infant School we teach a broad and balanced curriculum that teaches elements of democracy, civic responsibility, rules and laws, the monarchy, equality, values and virtues, environmental awareness and understanding of other faiths.  There is a weekly assembly that covers different topics underpinning these values.

Actively promoting British Values also refers to challenging pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values. At Great Moor Infant School, values of tolerance and respect permeate all areas of school life. This creates a climate within which pupils feel safe and secure and facilitates the fulfilment of potential. Pupil voice plays an integral part in driving the school forward and school rules at different levels are seen as the foundation upon which this can be achieved. The following are a selection of activities that are evidence of our commitment to British values.

Democracy

• We have an elected school council that twice every term. The children discuss ways of improving the school.
• Children have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council.
• The school undergoes a ‘mini election’ where four Year 2 pupils have been provided with the opportunity to become electable candidates.  They provide the school with four different options and all the school pupils vote the option that they would like to choose.

The Rule of Law

• The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies.
• 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

• Within school, the children are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.
• As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safety, through of provision of a safe environment and empowering education.  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 and PSHE lessons. Whether it is through choice of challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect

• Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around Core Values such as ‘Respect’, and pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown.
• All Classrooms have the same behaviour reward system that promotes respect towards each other.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

• This is achieved through enhancing of children’s’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity.
• We use whole school assemblies as a chance to introduce the children to a range of different celebrations and religious festivals e.g. Chinese New Year, Christmas, Easter, Diwali, Eid etc.
• Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school
• At Great Moor Infant School we take part in annual Poppy Day commemorations where children have made or can purchase poppies and a minute’s silence is held in special assemblies for the school.
• On a more general level, the school undertakes daily assemblies/circle times which uphold traditional values of empathy, respect and tolerance. These are also taught within formal SEAL, PSHE and RE lessons and on an informal nature throughout the school days.
• Visitors from other faiths in classes and assemblies.