Promoting British Values
To provide outstanding education and ensure that all pupils can reach their greatest potential and live by life’s highest values.
Mawgan-in-Pydar Primary School is committed to serving its community. It recognises the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. It also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.
We follow equal opportunities guidance which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. Mawgan-in-Pydar School is dedicated to preparing children for their adult life beyond the formal examined curriculum and ensuring that it promotes and reinforces British values to all its children.
The Government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools. The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.
The five British Values are:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
Our school uses strategies within the National curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for children. The examples that follow show some of the many ways Mawgan-in-Pydar School seeks to embed British values.
Democracy:
The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced, with democracy processes being used for important decisions within the school community, for instance, elections being held for school council members. The principle of democracy is also explored in the History and Religious Studies curriculum as well as in assemblies. A regular trip to Westminster Palace in Years 5 and 6 are organised to further the children’s understanding of democracy. Mock elections are held to mirror the national elections.
The Rule of Law:
The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Mawgan-in-Pydar School. Children are taught the rules and expectations of the school which are highlighted by the student code of conduct and student expectations. Children are taught the value and the reasons behind laws that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty:
Our children are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Staff at Mawgan-in-Pydar School educate and provide boundaries for children to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education.
Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through regular e-safety learning activities.
Mawgan has a robust anti-bullying culture and has in place a comprehensive Behaviour for Learning Policy.
Mutual Respect:
Respect is a strong part of Mawgan-in-Pydar School and is part of our vision and values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect and this is reiterated through our teaching and learning environments.
Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum by providing the opportunity for children to express their views in a safe environment.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs:
This is achieved though equipping children with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity within the school community. Children benefit from a number of international visitors, including children from other continents and cultures. Additionally, children are actively encouraged to share their faith and beliefs within the school and celebrate festivities throughout the calendar year. The Agreed Cornwall Religious Studies curriculum provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions and cultures.
Our Assemblies help all pupils to find out about themselves and others linking their lives to the communities in which they belong. The themes cover areas such as: friendships, helping others and celebrations from a range of faiths and world events.
Pupils are encouraged to experience British Culture through our curriculum themes. For example, pupils have visited many local places. As a school, we take part in sporting activities which helps to instill ‘fair play’ and engender a ’team spirit’.
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC)
At Mawgan-in-Pydar we pride ourselves on providing a happy, safe, secure and supportive learning environment. At Mawgan-in-Pydar, every child is special and unique. All our children are encouraged to care for and support one another. The adults in our school act as role models for the pupils by being respectful, polite and tolerant.
At the centre of our ethos is an unwavering belief that all children can succeed and should enjoy their school experience while achieving their full potential. We believe this is achieved through a close and trusting relationship between home and school, both working together to promote the vision, aims and ethos of the school.
Our mission for education is to be nurturing, intelligent, employable global citizens who demonstrate social competence, a desire for learning and respect for each other and the world around them.
We always aim to develop pupils who know how to act responsibly, and who become more independent as they grow older through supporting and leading the younger pupils. Pupils are given responsibility within the school through different roles in and out of the classroom.
Through our curriculum, pupils are given the opportunity to gain knowledge and respect for their own culture and heritage. We ensure that pupils are made aware of different cultures and beliefs in lessons, assemblies and on educational/residential visits.
Spiritual development is when we explore beliefs and experience; respect faiths, feelings and values; enjoy learning about oneself, others and the surrounding world; use imagination and creativity; reflect.
Moral development is when we recognise right and wrong; respect the law; understand consequences; investigate moral and ethical issues; offer reasoned views.
Social development is when we use a range of social skills; participate in the local community; appreciate diverse viewpoints; participate, volunteer and cooperate; resolve conflict; engage with the 'British values' of democracy, the rule of law, liberty, respect and tolerance.
Cultural development is when we appreciate cultural influences; appreciate the role of Britain's parliamentary system; participate in culture opportunities; understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity.
The aims of our school pupils' SMSC programme are:
- To ensure pupils’ education is holistic rather than focussed narrowly on purely academic aspects of learning.
- To provide pupils with a rounded education, including learning how to work and play together, understanding and respecting others’ points of view, respecting and applying rules and understanding why these exist.
- To prepare pupils to contribute to society and culture throughout their lives, and enable them to participate actively and positively in the life of the school, their local community and wider society.
- To encourage pupils to value themselves and their unique contributions to their own and others’ lives, and in turn to value and celebrate others and their qualities and abilities.
In our school, pupils' SMSC development is seen for example in:
- Taking part in pupil voice through the school council and their questionnaires
- Taking part in a range of activities regarding social skills
- Developing an awareness and respect for diversity
- Developing an understanding of right and wrong
- Developing the communication skills to make choices about likes/dislikes in school then in wider community visits
- Taking part in sporting and cycling opportunities
- Taking part in cultural opportunities
- Taking part in artistic opportunities
This integrated approach ensures that aspects of SMSC are considered in all subject areas.
Mawgan-in-Pydar Primary School strives endlessly to ensure that its children leave with the strongest foundation of values upon which to build a successful life and a successful contribution to our Society.
