At Minehead First School we provide opportunities for the children to explore their own culture and have a clear understanding and appreciation of a wide range of the cultural influences that have shaped modern Britain. We recognise the diversity within our society and ensure that British Values are embedded within our curriculum.
We promote British Values in the following ways:
Democracy
Our School Council promotes the democratic process - pupils nominate and vote for their representatives within the School Council.
Children select and vote for their House and Vice Captains. Year 4 pupils present themselves to their house and write a speech. Pupils then select their captain based on what they have heard in the speeches. Pupils place their votes in a ballot box.
Our marking policy encourages feedback enabling pupils to respond to and influence the learning process..
Pupils and parents are surveyed regularly and the results of those surveys inform aspects of the School Development Plan.
Children are encouraged to voice their opinions in formal and informal ways. (suggestion boxes, questionnaires)
Individual Liberty
Children are provided with boundaries which encourage them to make choices safely and are asked to reflect on these boundaries within safe PSHE lessons.
Pupils are encouraged to respectfully express their views and beliefs.
Pupils have key roles and responsibilities within school including; House and Vice Captain, Play Leaders, Librarians and Year 4 buddies.
Pupils have the opportunity and are encouraged to take part in a broad range of extra-curricular activities including; sports, drama, dance, art, and reading.
Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example, through our PHSE and Online Safety lessons.
Pupils know who to speak to if they are worried or concerned about themselves or others
Pupils have the opportunity to meet and discuss careers they might be interested in, during purposeful career talks. These include; working with animals, military, marine biology and engineering.
Respect of those of different faith and beliefs
We learn about major world religion festivals throughout the year and actively celebrate these throughout the year.
Our RE and PSHE curriculum provides children with a broad and balanced understanding of world religions and promotes respect for the beliefs of others.
We provide opportunities for children to visit places of worship and to meet people from different faiths, which promotes Inter-faith dialogue and discussion.
We provide resources to ensure that all pupils are effectively integrated into the teaching and learning process and the wider school community, including those that join at different starting points and those who have English as an additional language.
Mutual Respect
Pupils work in teams, share ideas in public and show respect for other pupils’ opinions during class discussions, assemblies and concerts.
Our golden rules reinforce mutual respect and pupils have a half term focus on respect, linked to one the school values.
All members of the school community treat each other with respect and model this in behaviour with colleagues and pupils.
Pupils work together in different groupings and situations in different lessons and subjects.
All pupils participate in live productions and assemblies throughout the school year.
The Rule of Law
We have clear rules and expectations of behaviour and a Whistle Blowing policy which is adhered to by all pupils, staff and other stakeholders.
Children are taught the importance of the golden rules and are keen to follow these.
Teaching includes online safety, road safety and caring for the environment.
Attendance and punctuality is good and all stakeholders are aware of the importance of being at school.
Pupils follow, respect and understand the need for different rules in different situations, i.e. PE lessons, school visits, classrooms and the playground.
Pupils with positive learning behaviours are recognised.
Visits from emergency services and MPs/councillors, reinforces the rule of law and the reasoning/purpose behind them.
The school supports pupils in regulating their own behaviour to make choices for the well-being of themselves and others.