British Values

Our aim at Ladycross is to encourage pupils to develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in Britain. We actively promote the fundamental British Values and this forms part of our wider work in school with children in relation to their Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education (SMSC).

The British Values, as defined by the government, are :

• Democracy
• The Rule of Law
• Individual Liberty
• Mutual Respect
• Tolerance of different Faiths and Beliefs

We teach a broad and balanced curriculum that teaches elements of democracy, rules and laws, the monarchy, equality, values and virtues, environmental awareness and understanding of different faiths. Actively promoting British Values also refers to challenging pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values. At Ladycross, values of acceptance and respect permeate all areas of school life. This creates a climate within which pupils feel safe and secure and therefore allowing them to learn and develop. Pupil voice plays an integral part in driving the school forward.

These British Values are promoted throughout the curriculum, across the whole school. They are also seen in the school ethos, policies, assemblies, special events and cultural celebrations. The following are a selection of activities that are evidence of our commitment to British Values.

We teach children about Democracy through:

• Children being involved in democratic processes e.g. voting for pupil councillors, rewards and incentives
• Pupil Parliament
• Feedback on key issues in school via the pupil parliament
• Philosophy for children sessions

We teach children about Rule of Law through:

• School behaviour policy
• Achievement assemblies
• School rules
• Behaviour rewards system
• Role model boards
• Reflecting of behaviour and learning during lessons
• Parent/ carer questionnaires about behaviour

We teach children about Individual Liberty through:

• Understanding responsibility in school in terms of behaviour and learning attitudes (well-being and learning zones)
• Pupil roles in school – leaders, pupil parliament members and playground buddies
• School values
• Local, national and international fundraising
• Community links – residential home, food bank
• Assemblies – pupil parliament and people who help us
• Restorative practise
• Challenging stereotyping and bias
• Anti-bullying
• Rewarding learning behaviours

We teach children about Mutual Respect through:

• PSHE curriculum and assemblies
• Positive relationships encouraged and modelled
• Inclusive ethos
• RE curriculum
• Anti-bullying assemblies
• Pupil parliament
• Sports Day
• Trips – wider community
• Visitors
• Peer assessment
• Collaboration with other schools
• Restorative practise
• School rules

We teach children about Tolerance and Acceptance through:

• Assemblies – stories from world faiths and cultures
• RE curriculum
• Reflection opportunities in assemblies
• School curriculum
• Inclusive school ethos
• Special assemblies – Harvest, Christingle, Remembrance Day, Canaan Trust
• PSHE
• Restorative practise

Specific Opportunities In Years 1 & 2

• India topic in Y2
• Studying Hinduism in Y2
• Creation stories from other faiths – Y2 RE
• Studying Christianity and its rites and festivals.
• Learning about Judaism and its beliefs an practices.
• Visits to the church as a place of worship.
• A summer concert for parents and families.

The staff work closely with parents, carers and other professionals to ensure that the pupils at Ladycross Infant and Nursery School are happy, well cared for and enabled to learn the skills they need to live a fulfilling life as part of their community.

Click here for more information about community cohesion