Harpur Hill Primary School & Nursery

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British Values

As our motto    states , we prepare children for life in modern Britain and actively promote the British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.  

Please read below to see how we promote these values through the curriculum as well as the wider life of the school:

 

Democracy

The importance of democracy is taught at an age-appropriate level through the curriculum and assemblies. Examples include learning about the Magna Carta, the divide in Britain during the time of Oliver Cromwell and when studying  ‘Ancient Greece'’  children learn about how democracy first developed. 

Our School Council is a democratically elected group of pupils.  There are 2 representatives per class from Year 1 upwards and they usually meet every week.

Current affairs and news items are discussed at an age appropriate level.  For example, junior pupils watch and discuss 'BBC Newsround'

The Rule of Law 

Pupils are taught about school rules and learn about the history of the rule of law in Britain. For example, children learn about the importance of law, parliament and punishment in our history curriculum.  They discuss why we have rules and laws and agree class rules.  We work with representatives of the Fire Service, Police, health professions and others to learn about the reasoning and purpose behind a particular set of rules, such as road and quarry safety.   

Individual Liberty 

Children are encouraged to be aware of the importance of taking responsibility for their choices.  They learn about individual liberty in history and the wider world through the curriculum and assemblies.  Examples of aspirational people who have fought for liberty and freedom are celebrated e.g. as part of Black History Month - Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Rosa Parks. 

Year 6 explore propaganda in their WW2 history study ‘How could Hitler have convinced a nation to follow him?’ and, at an appropriate level, learned about the Holocaust.  Children explored this through the eyes of a young Jewish boy whose story was told at the Holocaust Centre. 

Mutual Respect 

We expect pupils to take care of their school and each other.  Pupils have responsibilities such as school councillors, Head Boy and Head Girl.  Children enjoy and value these roles, treating each other respectfully. We also celebrate children's achievements, for example, through our Friday 'Good News Assemblies'. 

Children are positive and keen to reflect on experiences; they understand the consequences of their actions, and recognise the difference between right and wrong.  They are able to debate and discuss moral issues and offer reasoned views - for example, this is evident in Year 6  when children give reasons and discuss the rise of the Nazis and the Holocaust. 

The school has close links with the community, including working with local museums and the British Legion, to promote Remembrance Day. 

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs 

Children learn about tolerance, thinking first about co-operation, sharing, being kind and generous to one another.  One of our school aims, ‘diversity’, was chosen to ensure we go the extra mile to ensure our pupils (who are predominantly white British) not only tolerate difference, but actively celebrate diversity. 

Pupils learn about other faiths, values and cultures, celebrating festivals such as the Chinese New Year, Diwali, Christmas etc. through whole school assemblies, events and the RE curriculum.  Pupils are provided with opportunities to reflect on their own and others’ spiritual beliefs.

The school follows the Derbyshire agreed syllabus for RE.  We have links with local churches - for example, reception children make Christingles with local clergy.  The school provides regular opportunities for children to learn about other cultures and diversity. For example, children from different countries will share their Christmas traditions in class and in school assemblies.