Values and Behaviour

Each school teaches British Values as per the statutory guidance and also promotes their own set of values by ensuring that they permeate teaching, learning and all aspects of school life.

Promoting British Values at Summerswood Primary School 

At Summerswood we are committed to learning about British Values in line with the advice from the DfE and the definitions set out in 2011 Prevent Strategy.

The government has set out its definition of British Values as:

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

At Summerswood these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy

At Summerswood Primary School, we have a democratically elected School Parliament who represent the views of all the children in school and take on board their ideas to help support and develop our school. Summerswood School Parliament consists of Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 representatives from each class, who have been voted for by their peers.

Summerswood School Parliament consider whole school issues that are brought to their attention by their peers or the staff. These may be things the school community would like to change or achieve. 

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school, or the country, is consistently reinforced at Summerswood Primary School. Pupils are taught from an early age the rules of the school. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. 

Expectations are reinforced regularly and opportunities are sought frequently to praise positive choices. Pupils modelling behaviour consistent with the school’s high expectation are regularly recognised and used as role models for others. Opportunities are provided regularly for children and staff to participate or spectate in sporting activities which represent good examples of fairness, rules and etiquette in sport.

Individual Liberty

At Summerswood Primary School, 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 given the freedom to make choices and become critical thinkers through evaluating, reflecting and collecting valid and reliable evidence to make good decisions, for example: whether it is through choice of challenge and how they record their learning using key skills to present information and communicate ideas. We encourage children to pursue their interests and talents through engagement in extra-curricular activities. We also talk to children about the concept of human rights in assemblies, PSHE lessons, and we teach them the importance of liberty and the effects of loss of liberty. 

Safeguarding our pupils is paramount and PSHE/e-Safety lessons aim to equip pupils with the skills to make safe choices.

Mutual Respect

Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around the value of ‘RESPECT’ and pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. Our school reward system is centred on our four school houses which involves all children from Years 1 to Year 6. The school ethos and aims promote respect for others, and this is reiterated through our classroom and Pathway to Success rules, as well as our behaviour policy. High levels of mutual respect are obvious in the school and are demonstrated daily in the excellent relationships between staff and pupils.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Summerswood Primary School is a diverse school. We actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures. Religious Education lessons and PSHCE lessons reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others. Members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. The children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths. Members of different faiths and religions within our school family are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning. We also welcome theatre groups who promote messages of equality and underline spiritual, moral, social and cultural values of groups of people around the world and within Britain. Resources in classrooms are regularly audited to ensure they reflect our multi-cultural society and stereotypes are challenged.