Wittering Primary School prides itself on the implementation of British values throughout the school. Fundamental British values are woven into our curriculum. Not only do we respect British values and believe in them, we actively promote them across the school.

We strive to ensure that our children develop a strong sense of understanding about our country and the values that we hold dear. Our values of equality, resilience, responsibility, community and belonging are intertwined with the British values to ensure a safe and stimulating environment in which to learn.

At Wittering our children are encouraged to explore and develop whilst applying the key principles of British values. We have constructed a bespoke curriculum based on topics that will excite and engage our children. Our curriculum provides an opportunity to integrate British values into each child's learning and how best to apply these to real-life contexts.

Democracy

All children have the opportunity to make choices, they are encouraged to reflect upon their choices and to express their opinions in the appropriate manner knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.

Our School Council work alongside our staff to ensure that the children’s voice is heard and has an impact on the day-to-day running of our school. The children discuss issues raised in class and suggest ideas for ways to improve aspects of their school experience.

At the beginning of each school year the children in each class will develop an understanding of the high expectations derived from our values; they will also have an impact on the class expectations they want to see upheld across the year. These rules are fairly demonstrated and applied to emphasise how our choices affect our lives and futures.

Examples of democracy in action in our school:

• Pupil Leadership Team – all democratically elected to encourage the children to become involved in the decision making process.
• Pupil questionnaires/Pupil Voice - allows children to become involved in the decision making process and ensures they are listened to within school.
• Pupil involvement in interviewing potential new staff – children understand that their voice is valued and they have a direct influence on decisions regarding their education.
• PHSCE/History learning themes – understanding the Monarchy, Houses of Parliament and advantages and disadvantages of democracy and how it works in Britain.
• Whole School vote in collaboration with school council to choose our charity for the summer term

The Rule of Law

At Wittering, our school rules are what we expect all children and staff to follow. The rules are consistently enforced and reinforced, and through this we demonstrate the need for respect and reciprocity in our school.

In class lessons and assemblies pupils are reminded of the need for structure and the positive impact the rules have on our learning and personal development. This helps us to extend the thinking of our students to wider and more relevant national questions about the enforcement of laws, the fairness of the law and the way the Rule of Law has helped shape our society.

Our reflective behaviour policy enables children to work within a framework of expectations and manage these. We encourage the students to understand fairness and equality within the law, ensuring that they understand the moral implications of actions and paths chosen.

Examples of Rule of Law in action in our school:

• Robust, reflective Behaviour policy/ School expectations – ensure school rules and expectations are clear and fair. Helps children to understand right from wrong and the impact their behaviour has on those around them.
• Workshops with local police – helps pupils to respect the law and the basis on which it is made. Children understand that living under the rule of law protects individuals.
• Parent / carers questionnaires relating to behaviour, safety etc. – parents are listened to and their views are fed into our behaviour policy to enable a rounded approach to behaviour management across the school
• Focus assemblies - e.g. school rules, parliament etc. planned in to assembly timetable. 

Individual Liberty

At Wittering, we are proud of all of our students and recognise that each is unique; through collaboration and celebration of our differences we are able to achieve wonderful things and the students are encouraged to demonstrate their many wonderful talents without fear or compromise.  Many aspects of the Personal, Social and Health Education curriculum and Citizenship cover these matters.

There are many occasions when pupils are encouraged and given the freedom to make choices within their lessons and in relation to their participation in extra-curricular learning opportunities. Community visits and PHSCE learning themes are just small ways that we provide children with opportunities to discuss their ideas, thoughts, feelings and understanding on all matters big and small.

Examples of Individual Liberty in action in our school:

• Class debates/Pupil Voice – models freedom of speech through pupil participation, helping the children to understand that they make a difference to their school and those around them.
• Behaviour Expectations/Behaviour Policy/Anti-bullying policy/Buddies/Playground leaders/Anti-bullying week/ Worry Boxes - encourages children to take responsibility for their behaviour as well as understanding their rights. Such a robust approach to anti-bullying implements a strong anti-bullying culture where children feel safe and happy in school.
• House points/Praising of effort/Star of the week/Individual personalised feedback/Peer and self-assessment – supporting children to develop their self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Celebration assembly – helps children develop their own self-confidence in their own abilities whilst also celebrating the achievements of others.
• R.E & PHSCE curriculum – encourages the children to challenge stereotypes. Children not only learn about religion, they can also learn from religion and relate a range of topics to their own lives. 
• Competitive Sports opportunities – allowing children to strive to be the best, whilst promoting good sportsmanship and celebrating the achievements of others.
• Learning Review – allows children to receive individual personalised feedback on their success during the term. This builds self-confidence and provides each child with a platform to talk openly with their teacher.

Mutual Respect

Our children are part of a vibrant and diverse school where all cultures and personalities are valued. Our school value of equality ensures respect for others is a key part of our school ethos.

We as a school, celebrate multicultural Britain, and ensure that our children are aware of, and enthusiastic about, the incredible range of cultures and perspectives that shape our local community. Our staff are encouraged to model this value to the highest degree, for the benefit of the children and wider community.

Our curriculum is embedded with opportunities to admire and learn from different voices and viewpoints, and our assemblies and pastoral work is tireless in its approach to instilling respect amongst our school community.

Tolerance of those with different Faiths and Beliefs

We promote and celebrate diversity with our children, helping them to understand their place in our society and how they can collaborate with others to build a progressive and understanding tomorrow.

Issues such as bullying, racism, gender inequality, tolerance, respect and prejudice are all discussed through lessons and assemblies. Throughout our curriculum, children have opportunities to learn about and experience different cultures, from something as simple as getting a flavour of different cultures through food and dance, to an in depth exploration of different religions and societal groups. 

Examples of Mutual Respect & tolerance of those with different faiths & beliefs in action in our school:

• R.E. curriculum/PHSCE curriculum /Visits to places of worship – helps children to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life.
• Whole school Curriculum –equality and promoting respect for individual differences, whilst encouraging them to challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour.
• Whole School events E.g. Remembrance
• Visitors from local community E.g. Local Reverend, local charities
• Cultural capital assembly celebrations E.g. harvest – encourages children to discuss differences between people.

What do our children say about British Values?

Democracy

“We show democracy through our school council”

“We vote at playtimes for the games we want to play with each other”

“In year 6 we have different roles which we vote for as a group”

“We had a whole school vote to decide which charity we wanted to support”

Respect and Tolerance

“We show respect for our grounds through litter picking”

“We respect visitors to our school”

“We learn respect through PSHCE and RE lessons”

“We show respect through being kind”

Individual Liberty

“We did Odd Socks Day for anti-bullying”

“We are kind and accepting at our school”

“We include new people”

“We encourage each other”

Rule of Law

“Mrs Blake tells us the rules in assembly”

“In PSHCE we learn about different rules to keep us safe, like rules for crossing the road or the internet”

“The police come in to talk to us about the law”

“Teachers tell us the rules in class”

Wittering Primary actively challenges pupils, staff, parents, carers and other stakeholders who express opinions contrary to the fundamental British values detailed here, including any “extremist” views.