British Values

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

The Department for Education (DfE) has 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.”

Democracy

Democracy is embedded within the school. Children have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council, pupil questionnaires and regular ‘pupil voice’ events. The School Council’s recent decision was to choose our new Albion logo. During summer 2019, the children elected a Pupil Headteacher and Pupil Deputy Headteacher to lead the school for a day. They went through the process of a whole election campaign, children voted in private booths and all children understood that their votes count and they can make a difference.

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 the regular school day, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Children are taught the value and reasons behind laws or rules, 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 Services are regular parts of our school calendar and help reinforce this message. Children have more ownership over Albion rules as they were part of creating them. This also applies to when they create their own class rules annually.

Individual Liberty

Within school, children 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 children to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education.  Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PHSE lessons. Whether it be through choice of challenge, or participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect

Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around one of our values such as respect. Children have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. This is reiterated through our school rules and Home School Agreement.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

This is achieved through enhancing children’s understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. This is done specifically through PHSE and RE, as well as across the whole curriculum where relevant. Events such as International Day Celebrations, Chinese New Year Celebrations and other cultural events help children to understand the seminaries and differences between people.

A Rights Respecting School

In 2019, Albion has introduced the idea of working towards the ‘Rights Respecting Schools Award’ (RRSA) which recognises achievement in putting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) at the heart of a school’s planning, policies, practice and ethos. A rights-respecting school not only teaches about children’s rights but also models rights and respect in all its relationships: between pupils and adults, between adults and between pupils.