Promoting British Values

At Meadowbrook Primary School we uphold and teach pupils about British Values, which are defined as:

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

These values are taught explicitly through Personal, Social, Health and Emotional (PSHE), and Religious Education (RE). We also teach British Values through planning and delivering our broad and balanced Curious Curriculum.

The school takes opportunities to promote British Values through daily assemblies and whole school systems and structures such as electing and running a successful School Council. We also promote British values through ensuring that our curriculum planning and delivery includes real opportunities for exploring these values.

At Meadowbrook Primary School, these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council. The elections of representatives for the School Council are based on pupil votes, which are carried out in a mock election style.
We encourage pupils to be involved in decision-making processes, and ensure that they are listened to.
In classrooms, Circle Time is used to discuss issues and resolve problems.

The importance of laws and rules, whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, are reinforced consistently. Our Behaviour Policy was reviewed during 2018-19, to give pupils greater responsibility for their own behaviour. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, and that they govern and protect us. Visits from authorities such as the PSCOs, police, fire service etc. are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce these messages.
To encourage and promote good behaviour, attitude and work, we have devised a reward system which is consistently followed throughout the school.
We are committed to praising children’s efforts. We endeavour to praise the children informally, individually, during group work, in front of the whole class and the whole school. Children are rewarded not only for achievement in curriculum areas, but for behaviour and for consistently ‘doing the right thing.’ Rewards are given in the form of stickers, house points and certificates. Children’s achievements are also recognised during Celebration Assemblies.

Pupils are actively encouraged to make choices at our school, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we provide boundaries for our children to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and planned curriculum. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-Safety teaching.
Pupils are given the freedom to make choices, e.g. signing up for extra-curricular clubs and activities, or taking on extra responsibilities.
Stereotypes are challenged, for example in the refurbishment of the library, when investment was made in books which showed a balance of male and female central characters.

Our school ethos and behaviour policy are based around the values of ‘respect’ and ‘responsibility’, and these values determine how we live as a community at Meadowbrook Primary School.
Prejudicial and discriminatory behaviour is challenged, and discussion about differences is encouraged – differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, gender and differences of family situations.

Through our curriculum, we help pupils to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life. This includes visitors to school, as well as school trips and visits.
We use opportunities such as the Olympics and World Cup to study and learn about life and culture in other countries.
We enjoy a range of visitors from different faiths and beliefs to our school.
We are proud to be linked to our partner school in Tanzania, and this year we undertook fundraising to provide them with new computers.