In Merryfields School, we actively promote British Values throughout the school year. This includes through the curriculum, through our interactions with pupils and some of the roles and responsibilities we provide to our pupils.
The DfE have reinforced the need for all schools 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.” These values are regularly reinforced and supported in Merryfields School.
Democracy
As a school, we value each member of the school community and support our pupils to respect and value each other. We provide a safe and nurturing environment for our pupils and our core values align to the British Value of Democracy, including ‘Promote good relationships, Include the whole community, Cherish individuality.’
We believe pupil voice is incredibly important and helps pupils to consider and challenge issues that they feel are important and have their voice heard. Our School Council support this, along with our prefect systems. We also promote a Total Communication approach across school, meaning that all pupils can voice their opinion.
Further democracy development comes through our curriculum and various strategies we use to support pupil needs across school. Our PHSE and RE curriculums support democracy, by engaging pupils in considering what it means to be British and that being British means living alongside others in a multi-cultural community. Pupils are encouraged to understand other people’s views, their backgrounds and how these people all contribute to Britain. Democracy is additionally supplemented through educational visits and inter school competitions (table cricket and football), which all enhance our pupil’s relationships with the community.
The Rule of Law
Laws are identified across school as being important, as they keep us safe and allow us to promote a happy and safe environment in Merryfields School. Classroom rules are agreed at the start of the year and there are consistent positive rules displayed in every classroom.
Where is it appropriate, pupils are taught about why it is important to be safe and have rules. This includes during assemblies, during the PHRSE topic ‘People who Help Us’ and visits from our local PCSOs and firemen. This way, pupils understand the reason behind rules and why these are so important.
Individual Liberty
At Merryfields, our Total Communication approach, supports all pupils to have their voices heard. Pupils are empowered as individuals and their needs are identified and supported appropriately, to allow this to happen. Pupils are made aware of their freedoms and how to exercise safety through Online Safety work, our PHRSE curriculum and our positive behavioural approaches.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those of different faiths and Beliefs.
As a school, we actively promote an understanding of others in Britain who may come from a diverse background. We believe mutual respect is essential and it links to our core values of ‘cherishing individuality’ and ‘valuing each other.’
During the year, we visit places of significant cultural interest, places of worship and we have visitors from various backgrounds who come in to speak to the children. Our RE curriculum and our assemblies promote an understanding of what it is like growing up in Britain as a person from the Jewish, Christian and Muslim community. The British Value of Mutual Respect, links to the Intention of our RE curriculum, which is to ‘support pupils as they explore and develop an understanding of the faith, modern practice and theological grounding of three religions which feature in British Society. We intend to foster a respect and appreciation for these faiths and celebrate the diversity and similarities between them.’
