BRITISH VALUES AT AINTREE DAVENHILL

In 2014, the Department for Education published guidance on promoting British values in school to ensure that young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. All schools have a duty to ‘actively promote’ the fundamental British values of:

• Democracy

• the rule of law

• individual liberty

• mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

These values were first set out by the government in the ‘Prevent’ strategy in 2011.

DEMOCRACY

At Aintree Davenhill children are taught to have respect for democracy and to support democratic processes including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England.

The school has a well-established and pro-active School Council with class representatives voted for by their own peers. School Council representatives take issues and talking points back to their own classes for discussion and opinion. The School Council will seek opinions of children across the school through specific surveys such as a recent one to establish children’s Health and Well-being.

Each September the Y6 children have the opportunity to apply for positions of Head Boy/Girl and Deputy Head Boy/Girl – setting out personal qualities and reasons why they would suit the position. The Y6 pupils get the opportunity to vote for their Head Boy/Girl with the successful candidates being part of the School Council and having additional responsibilities around school.

Adults at the school constantly seek pupils views to improve their learning and school life through pupil interviews, subject reviews and class discussion.

THE RULE OF LAW

Children will be taught to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England;

Children are encouraged to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living in the locality of the school and to society more widely.

As children move into a new class each September, they work together to decide on a Class Charter – the rules they expect each class member to adhere to. Children sign their class charter agreeing to abide by each rule.

The school has a positive behaviour policy which, over the years has developed playground rules and expectations. In assemblies, class discussions and PSHE lessons children are taught why we need rules and the rewards and sanctions that accompany them.

INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY

Children are taught to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence.

The school has actively made children aware of Unicef’s Rights of the Child, using assemblies, PSHE lessons, E-Safety lessons and discussions to help them understand their rights but also the responsibilities that come with those rights. Children are supported to make the right choices both for themselves and for the wider community.

Children are taught to consider others both in school, the local community and the wider community. The School Council organise very successful fund-raising events and map out which charities they will be supporting throughout the year. The school supports the usual national events such as Children in Need, Comic Relief and Childline but also local charities such as the Woodlands Hospice. The School Council have recently used afternoon tea packages by way of an apology to our neighbours for the problems of parking around the school.

MUTUAL RESPECT AND LEARNING TO VALUE THOSE WITH DIFFERENT FAITHS AND BELIEFS

Children are taught to understand, value and celebrate different cultural traditions by enabling them to acquire an appreciation for and respect of their own and others cultures;

They are taught respect for other people through a Rights Respecting curriculum.

At Aintree Davenhill we are very conscious that our children do not come from a wide range of diverse or ethnic backgrounds and over time the school has had to actively address this. For many years we had a link school in Rochdale, where white children were in the minority. We worked closely with the school for children to recognise their similarities and shared interests.

This year our theme week will address diversity and teach children tolerance, respect and acceptance of different lifestyles, backgrounds and religions.

Our R.E curriculum introduces children to the customs and beliefs of different religions. We use ministers from the local community to work with the children in assemblies and for class projects.