British Values

At Meon Infant School, we recognise that the personal development of children plays a significant role in their ability to learn, achieve and be happy individuals. We therefore aim to provide an education that provides children with opportunities to explore and develop:

  • Their own values and beliefs;
  • Their own spiritual awareness;
  • Their own high standards of personal behaviour;
  • Their critical thinking skills
  • A positive, caring and respectful attitude towards other people;
  • An understanding of their social and cultural traditions;
  • An appreciation of the diversity and richness of their cultures.

The DfE have recently reinforced the need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on 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.”

At Meon Infant School we recognise the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. We are committed to ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them. The school accepts admissions from all those entitled to an education under British law, including pupils of all faiths or none. It follows the policies outlined by its governing body regarding equal opportunities, which guarantee that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar.

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 ‘Prevent Strategy’ – values of:

  • Democracy
  • The rule of law
  • Individual liberty
  • Mutual respect
  • Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

Democracy

At the start of the school year, the children in each class discuss and agree upon their class rules and routines. These are then displayed in each classroom and are referred to throughout the year. Throughout the year pupils discuss whether these should be amended and updated.

We have a school council which meets regularly to discuss a variety of school issues. At the start of the year, the pupils in each class vote for their two school council representatives, one male and one female.

All classes have responsibility roles, such as fruit monitors and playground monitors, and pupils in Year 2 have additional responsibilities such as register monitors and assembly monitors. Pupils are encouraged to take turns volunteering to take on these roles and their responsibilities are highly respected and valued in school.

Other opportunities for discussion of opinions and voting take part in school throughout the year. Classes discuss and vote on how their cake sale money should be spent and there has recently been a whole school vote on whether or not there should be music playing in the dinner hall!

 

The Rule of Law

At Meon Infant School we have high expectations of pupil conduct and behaviour which is reflected in our Behaviour Policy. Each class has its own rewards system through which good behaviour is celebrated. There is also a weekly ‘Good Book Assembly’ at which all members of staff can reward and celebrate the good manners and conduct of any pupil. Through our school assemblies, circle time and PSHE curriculum children are taught about respect and trust; they are supported to develop a strong sense of morality; knowing right from wrong and doing the right thing even when it’s difficult. Every year group has annual e-safety lessons informing the pupils of their right to safety and privacy and how to obtain help if they believe they are in danger.

Individual Liberty

At Meon Infant School, we encourage pupils to make choices in a safe and supportive environment. Through our school values and the PSHE curriculum, pupils are taught about personal responsibility, choices, ambition and aspiration. They are taught how to keep themselves safe, including on-line. This is done through computing lessons, assemblies and outside organisations such as the NSPCC, in addition to the PSHE curriculum. The pupils have opportunities to explore their identity and share their thoughts and feelings. All staff encourage children to access support and to freely talk about their feelings and any problems facing them.

Mutual Respect

Through our school’s values, PSHE curriculum and circle time pupils are taught to respect each other, to be cooperative and collaborative, to be supportive to one another and to look for similarities and but also value and respect differences between each other. Our school assemblies explore ideas, stories and celebrations from a range of cultures and backgrounds. All adults at the Meon Infant School model respectful behaviour at all times.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

At Meon Infant School we teach the children to value and celebrate diversity rather than merely tolerate it. This is reflected in our RE, PSHE and Inclusion and Equality policies. An understanding of different faiths and beliefs is promoted through our Religious Education curriculum and children learn about different religions, their beliefs, places of worship and festivals. In addition in whole school assemblies significant religious and cultural festivals such as Ramadan, Eid, Diwali and Chinese New Year are celebrated and learnt about throughout the year. We are fortunate at Meon Infant School to have pupils from a variety of countries and religions. We are proud of how this makes our school such a rich and diverse community and aim to celebrate this whenever possible in school. For example, In Year 1 when traditional tales were being studies, pupils from Spain, China and Japan discussed and told some of their national traditional tales, which lead on to a more thorough understanding of what a traditional tale is.

An understanding of and respect for different cultures is also promoted at Meon Infant School through the celebration of European Day of languages, where pupils learn more about the language, food and heritage of different countries, and Arts Week, where pupils learn about traditional dances and art works from a variety of countries.