Promoting British Values
The DfE have reinforced the need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.”
The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated by the Prime Minister. At Corpus Christi Catholic Primary school these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Click the Union Flag below to view our British Values Policy
Democracy
Democracy is rife within the school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our Pupil Parliament and Pupil questionnaires. The elections of House Captains, as well as a range of classroom and whole school helpers each tem are based solely on Pupil votes. Our school behaviour policy involves rewards which the pupils vote on as a class group.
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. Visits from authorities such as the Police; Fire Service etc. are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty
Within school, pupils 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 safely, through 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 be 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. Posters around the school promote respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our behaviour policy and mission statement.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE. The school has a high-profile VLE learning page, linking to languages spoken by our EAL pupils. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school and they enjoy this throughout the year and especially during our very popular annual multi-faith week.
We value the diverse ethnic backgrounds of all pupils and families and undertake a variety of events and lessons to celebrate these. We have found this approach to be enriching for all parties as it teaches tolerance and respect for the differences in our community and the wider world. Underpinning all of this are a range of curriculum topics which have strong links to the British Empire.
- In Year 6, pupils undertake an intense topic about World War Two and the impact that the military had in fighting for the British Empire. This is linked with the annual Poppy Day celebrations where children purchase poppies and a minute's silence is held in specially created assemblies for the school. The children in year 5 & 6 gather at the local war memorial and take part in the Stechford memorial remembrance service – this is a tradition that has happened for decades and is valued by all stakeholders.
- In Year 4, pupils study local 'heroes' who have played a huge part in raising the profile of the area. In Literacy lessons, the unit on biographies is taught through the life stories of the Cadbury family and base their curriculum on Birmingham. There is a display which features significant local British historical figures which all pupils undertake lessons around. Some examples of their work on these topics is displayed alongside this.
- In Year 3, pupils find out about the range of British exports including local businesses including Cadbury’s and car manufacturers such as Jaguar. The children get the opportunity to visit these places and get a sense of pride and an understanding of the history of British life in their own environment.
- In Year 2, there is a strong focus on the work of Florence Nightingale and how she assisted British soldiers in Scutari so they could convalesce after being injured. Florence Nightingale is seen as a 'martyr' by many children in the year group as they find her work and approach to making changes to hospitals both fascinating and inspiring.
- In Year 1, pupils learn about how British people during the Victorian era lived. They visit Weston-Super-Mare and experience what life was like and how resilient the British were in this era. The children also focus on how British Victorians valued family life and compare it to how it is today.
As a whole school, we have celebrated the Olympics, with an Olympic themed sports week and about the history of Olympians nationally and locally.
The school celebrated the Diamond anniversary of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II and all year groups were given the opportunity to develop their understanding of the British Monarchy through the school’s creative curriculum. The children were in charge of organising a street party and invited war veterans of Stechford as well as elderly residents of a local retirement home to the highly successful celebrations.
We celebrated the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the birth of their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louie with special assemblies and themed lessons.
We also celebrated the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the birth of their son Alfie; again with special assemblies and themed lessons.
In 2022 we celebrated the Platinum anniversary of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. In the Summer term 2022 there were lots of celebrations each week. We dressed as kings and queens, danced for the queen and each year group researched a particular decade of the queen's reign.
As we were there for the good times we were also here to acknowledge the bad times as we heard of the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday 8th September 2022. The children had lots of questions to ask and told of fond memories that they had of the late Queen. We mourned with the rest of the nation and watched as her son, His Royal Highness, Prince Charles the Prince of Wales ascended to the throne to become King Charles III. We are proud of being British and living in Britain.
On a more general level, the school undertakes assemblies 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. The school community takes part in an annual Multi-Faith week where students of different faiths are able to take part.
Worried about a Child?
If you have any concerns about the safety and/or welfare of a child or young person telephone the Multi-Agency Safeguarding HUB (MASH) on 0121 303 1888 or email MASH@birmingham.gov.uk
Outside of normal office hours please call 0121 675 4806 for the Emergency Duty Team