Here at Long Bennington Church of England Academy we are very proud of how we promote Fundamental British Values as part of our curriculum to help all of our pupils learn about living life in modern Britain.
These values are Democracy, Rule of Law, Respect and Tolerance, Individual Liberty.
Fundamental British Values underpin what it is to be a citizen in a modern and diverse Great Britain valuing our community and celebrating diversity of the UK.
Fundamental British Values are not exclusive to being British and are shared by other democratic countries as a way of creating an orderly society, where individual members can feel safe, valued and can contribute for the good of themselves and others.
Democracy
A culture built upon freedom and equality, where everyone is aware of their rights and responsibilities.
Examples in school might be:
- Leadership and accountability both in staff but also in pupils such as House Captains, Buddies, sports leaders etc;
- Joint decision making about learning,
- School Council, Sports Council and other pupil bodies that have a voice in school and can help direct policy and practice
- The right to be heard - when we undertake pupil questionnaires and talk to them about their learning;
- Receiving and giving feedback - through verbal feedback but also through marking and response to their work and enabling them to feed back to us in their books.
Rule of Law
The need for rules to make a happy, safe and secure environment to live and work.
Examples
- Children understanding and following our five 'Golden Rules'
- Consistent and secure application of the school behaviour policy including a time for reflection and redemption;
- Learning how the law protects you and others, how to keep safe for life - as outlined in our 'Protective Behaviours' curriculum;
- Codes of conduct for staff and for children.
Respect and Tolerance
Understanding that we all don’t share the same beliefs and values. Respecting the values, ideas and beliefs of others whilst not imposing our own others.
Examples
- Embracing diversity
- The importance of religion, traditions, cultural heritage and preferences
- Always challenging any form of stereotyping, labeling and prejudice
- Tackling discrimination including both racist, sexist and homophobic language.
Individual Liberty
Protection of your rights and the right of others around you.
Examples
- Equality and Human Rights which we explore through our work towards UNICEF RRS status;
- Personal Development - ensuring our children feel that they
- Respect and Dignity for all both adults in school and children;
- Rights, choice, consent and individuality
- Values and principles including our school Christian Values that underpin both the curriculum s well as collective worship.