“Keeping our children safe and ensuring schools prepare them for life in modern Britain could not be more important. This change is an important step towards ensuring we have a strong legal basis for intervening in those schools where this is an issue. The vast majority of schools already promote British Values. This is about making sure we have the tools we need to intervene if children are being let down.”

Learning about British Values is an integral part of school life. Below are some of the ways in which we promote British Values at Windwhistle School:

Democracy

• Each year the children decide upon their class rules and the rights associated with these. All the children contribute to the drawing up of the charter.
• Children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. We have a school council which meets regularly to discuss issues. The council recommends areas for development to the Headteacher. It is able to genuinely effect change within the school. Each council member for each class is voted in by their class. 
• Children also have an annual questionnaire with which they are able to put forward their views about the school.

The rule of law

• The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies.
• Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they 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 help reinforce this message.

Individual liberty

• Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons.

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Mutual respect

• Respect is one of our school values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others.

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Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

• Windwhistle is situated in an area which is culturally diverse; therefore we place a great emphasis on promoting diversity with the children. We value the diverse ethnic backgrounds of all people and undertake a variety of events and lessons to celebrate these. We have found this approach to be enriching for all parties as it teaches tolerance and respect for the differences in our community and the wider world.
• Assemblies are regularly planned to address this issue either directly or through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures.
• Our RE and PSHE teaching reinforce this. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.
• Children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths.

Through our Religion, PSHE and Geography themes we are able to make real links between the values of our pupils and the lives of others in their community, country and the world in general.

Overall, promoting British Values is about helping our pupils develop a sense of identity, become responsible citizens, and understand the importance of living in a diverse and tolerant society.