We agree with the Department for Education’s five part definition of British Values:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
We believe it is incredibly important that these British Values permeate through every school in the country. At Gusford you will encounter these values throughout our everyday school life. In particular our promotion of Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural understanding. Our school values uphold British Values within our school community.
Below is just a snap shot of how we promote these values in our school community:
Democracy:
Pupil voice plays a big part in life at Gusford. Our pupil elected school council play a strong role in our school. They are elected by their class peers and are involved in making Gusford a better place to learn. Our Headship team meet regularly with pupils to review learning. Curriculum leaders meet with pupils as part of their monitoring. Pupil questionnaires and interviews are also conducted throughout the year. We know that the formation of the school council and the active participation of our pupils will sow the seeds for a more sophisticated understanding of democracy in the future.
The Rule of Law:
Our pupils will encounter rules and laws throughout their lives. To help pupils we help pupils understand that whether laws govern the class, the school, the neighbourhood or the country, they are set for good reasons and benefit us when they are adhered to. This importance of rules will be consistently reinforced through assemblies and our curriculum. Through PSHE and RE we allow opportunity to debate and discuss the reasons for laws so children can recognise the importance of these for their own protection. Throughout the year we welcome visits from members of the wider community including police, the fire brigade and many more. We believe that clear explanations and real life stories emphasise the importance of the Rule of Law for our pupils.
Individual Liberty:
We invest a lot of time in creating a positive culture in our school. This creates a safe environment where children can make sensible choices. In lessons, learning tasks are often in the form of Gold, Silver and Bronze tasks that the children can decide upon. We encourage children to choose the task that will challenge them, giving them more freedom to determine their own learning. We offer a range of clubs which pupils have the freedom to choose from, based on their interests. Through our E-Safety, RE and PSHE sessions, we educate children on their rights and personal freedoms as well as supporting them in recognising how to exercise these freedoms safely.
Mutual Respect:
Our school values all point towards mutual respect. These are:
- Respect
- Responsibility
- Kindness
- Honesty
- Confidence
Mutual respect is at the core of our school life.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs:
Within RE lessons and assemblies we show respect for, and celebrate other religions and cultures. Through our curriculum all major religions are studied and respected, including through visitors and visiting places of worship where possible. At Gusford we strongly believe that tolerance is gained through knowledge and understanding. Through our curriculum and the routines of our daily school life, we strive to demonstrate tolerance and help children to become knowledgeable and understanding citizens who can build a better Britain for the future.
