We are extremely proud of our rich diverse school and welcome children from our wonderfully diverse community. We are a harmonious school and value everyone, whatever their ability, ethnicity, religion, gender or background. As a primary school, we believe we have a vital role in combating discrimination and promoting fairness, justice and equality through our teaching and in the role models we offer. We teach the children to be responsible citizens and positive representatives of the United Kingdom within the wider world.
The Government defined its concept of ‘British Values’ in its 2011 Prevent Strategy, and since 2014 the Department for Education has required 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”. Here at Brentfield we agree wholeheartedly with this. We believe that British Values are also global values.
At Brentfield Primary School, British Values permeate the life of our school and underpin our core values. British Values are taught explicitly through PSHE and Religious Education. We also promote British Values through delivering a broad and balanced curriculum and our planned programme of assemblies.
Democracy: At Brentfield, the children are listened to and are taught to listen to others. They are taught to respect the rights of individuals to have voices and opinions heard. Children are also taught to discuss issues and how decisions can be influenced through the democratic process. Children have many opportunities to have their voices heard. This includes:
- School Council, elected by pupils
- Weekly PSHE lessons
- Pupil Questionnaires and Pupil Voice interviews
- House captain manifestos and elections each year
The Rule of Law: The importance of rules and laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country are consistently reinforced at Brentfield. As a result, children develop a clear understanding of right and wrong. To encourage and promote good behaviour and positive attitudes at Brentfield, we have a House point system to reward children for effort, behaviour and for showing care and concern for others; for going ‘above and beyond.’ We are committed to praising children’s efforts. Achievement assemblies celebrate successes with the wider school community. The police also regularly visit the school to deliver a range of talks and workshops to children and we have links with the safer neighbourhood team. Through subjects such as PSHE, RE and History, children are encouraged to be aware of their rights and responsibilities from a legal and moral viewpoint.
Individual Liberty: At Brentfield, our children are actively encouraged to make the right choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive learning environment. All staff have high expectations which are respected by pupils and parents. Children are expected to take responsibility for their own actions and to understand consequences. We encourage children to express their own ideas and initiative in both their written and oral work.
Mutual Respect: All members of our school community are required to treat each other with respect, tolerance and understanding. This is modelled by staff and there is an emphasis on working together co-operatively and respectfully as partners or groups. We have agreed rules, rewards and consequences, PSHE, Religious Education, assembly celebrations for important religious events, children are appointed as Anti-Bullying Ambassadors, special days and events to raise money for chosen charities nominated by our houses etc.
Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs: Our school has a culturally diverse community which enriches the educational experience of all our children here at Brentfield. We recognise the importance of promoting respect, tolerance, equality and diversity. The whole school proudly celebrates the diversity of our community, parents and carers are invited to assemblies which celebrate different faiths and cultures. Children are taught that prejudice and discrimination can come in different forms and is wrong on many levels. Children have many opportunities to understand the importance of tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs through:
- Religious Education, with a curriculum which focuses on different religions in each year group following Brent Agreed Syllabus
- Religious/Cultural Assemblies and Celebrations of Learning
- PSHE
- Whole school and class assemblies
- Broad and Balanced Curriculum
- Promoting the great diversity in Brentfield by continuing to provide opportunities for children to discuss their own beliefs and cultural background with their peers throughout Key Stage 1 and 2.
- An annual International Celebration, where children learn about cultures and religions from around the world
At Brentfield, we will actively challenge pupils, staff, parents or anyone in the school community expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values.
