Promoting Fundamental British Values.

In accordance with The Department for Education we aim to actively promote British values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. Pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law.

The Key Values are:

• democracy
• rule of law
• individual liberty
• mutual respect
• tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

British Values in New Park Primary School

New Park Primary School is committed to the promotion of the British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.  Visitors to our school are expected to respect these values and not to undermine them.

Democracy

Children receive opportunities to learn about and practise democracy.  They are involved in decision making about aspects of school life.  The children are consulted about their curriculum.  They tell us what they do and do not like.   We teach pupils to listen carefully to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard.

The Rule of Law

New Park Primary School encourages all children to behave well using our behaviour for learning policy.  They are given opportunities to make correct choices before a consequence is applied. Our children are taught about the importance of laws whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country and these are consistently reinforced.  Each class discusses and sets its own rules that are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment.  Pupils in New Park Primary School are taught that they have certain rights but that these also carry responsibilities.  In RE lessons, children consider historical and biblical laws and how these influence national and class laws/rules.

Individual Liberty

At New Park Primary School, pupils are encouraged to make good choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.  Pupils are supported in making correct decisions by exploring various choices.  We encourage them to think about the impact of their decisions on themselves and other people. They learn about the potential consequences of making incorrect ones.  We encourage them to make decisions that are right for their well-being, safety and happiness and not just because an adult is checking up on them.  We want them to grow up to be good citizens of Liverpool and the United Kingdom.  Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely; examples of this can be clearly seen in our e-safety, RE and P.S.H.E. lessons.  Our pupils are given the freedom to make choices.  It follows that they will sometimes make the wrong choice.  How will they learn if they don’t or can’t make mistakes?

Mutual Respect

We are proud that our school has a diverse population of pupils and staff.  We have a mix of nationalities, languages and religious beliefs.  Some of our pupils have medical conditions, special educational needs and disabilities.  The people at New Park make our school a happy and lively place to learn and work.  Everyone knows that we will make our school a safe and happy place to learn and work by reporting, challenging, recording and dealing with any incidents of bullying, (including cyber-bullying) or prejudice and discrimination relating to age, disability, gender, homophobia, mental health status, racism or religious belief. We seek to educate our pupils about why such behaviour is wrong so that they learn.  Appropriate sanctions are applied when necessary.  Every person in New Park Primary School has a right to be educated and to be respected for who they are and what they bring to us.  

Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

In New Park Primary School we have people who practise all of the major religious faiths and some people who practise none.  In RE lessons, though they learn predominantly about Christmas, Easter and Christian beliefs and practices, pupils also learn about other faiths and festivals such as Hinduism, Judaism and Islam.    Pupils learn about what religions have in common as well as how they differ.  Visitors come into school to talk about these too.  Pupils are expected to listen to what they hear with respect.  Our children learn about why some people believe the things they do and they ask questions about it.