Ethos & Values
TEACHING BRITISH VALUES
Promoting British Values at Lansdowne Primary Academy
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.”
The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated this year (2014). At Lansdowne Primary Academy these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy
Democracy is an important value at our school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our school council. The elections of members of the school council are based on pupil votes. Pupils apply for positions of responsibility, give speeches and attend interview.
Individual Liberty
At Lansdowne Primary Academy, pupils 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 pupils to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our eSafety and PSHE lessons.
Mutual Respect
Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect. Adults strive to model respect in all they do.
Lansdowne Primary Academy holds 8 core values which are revisited in termly core values days. Children work in mixed age groups from Reception to Year 6 to develop their understanding of a focus value in a range of contexts. This is a celebration of our ethos, curriculum and British values and supports the development of the PSHE and citizenship curriculum.