Promoting British Values

Promoting British values and life in modern Britain – A School Statement

We agree with the Department for Education’s five part definition of British Values:

DfE – Definitions of British Values

A culture built upon freedom and equality, where everyone is aware of their rights and responsibilities.

Examples

  • Leadership and accountability
  • Joint decision making
  • Team meetings
  • The right to protest and petition
  • Receiving and giving feedback

The need for rules to make a happy, safe and secure environment to live and work.

Examples

  • Legislation
  • Agreed ways of working, policies and procedures
  • How the law protects you and others
  • Codes of conduct

Protection of your rights and the right of others you work with.

Examples

  • Equality and Human Rights
  • Personal Development
  • Respect and Dignity
  • Rights, choice, consent and individuality
  • Values and principles

Understanding that we all don’t share the same beliefs and values. Respecting the values, ideas and beliefs of others whilst not imposing our own others.

Examples

  • Embracing diversity
  • The importance of religion, traditions, cultural heritage and preferences
  • Tackling stereotyping, labeling, prejudice and discrimination

We believe British Values are effectively promoted in our school through our School Aims.

Swinemoor School understands that there are many different types of community in modern Britain.

Swinemoor Primary School is a mono-cultural estate school in a northern market town.

Swinemoor – Examples of British Values

Pupil voice is an integrated aspect of school life at Swinemoor. Our pupil elected School Council play a strong role in our school. They are elected by their class peers and are involved in making Swinemoor a better place to learn. Pupils have input in their learning and what they would like to learn, which promotes our Pupil Voice.

For example, the pupils decide what our charitable endeavours shall be; what competitions we will devise and enter; and to whom we will write and invite to our social occasions and performances. Pupil questionnaires and interviews are also conducted regularly. 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.

Our pupils will encounter rules and laws throughout their entire lives. We want our pupils to understand that whether these laws govern the class, the school, the neighbourhood or the country, they are set for good reasons and must be adhered to. This understanding of the importance of rules will be consistently reinforced through assemblies and our curriculum.

The involvement of our pupils in the creation of the school rules helps them to understand the reasons behind rules and the consequences if rules are broken. We 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, war veterans, 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.

All at Swinemoor work to create a positive culture in our school, so that children are in a safe environment where choices and freedoms are encouraged. In lessons, learning tasks are challenging and require cooperation and scholastic endeavour. We encourage children to compete in the belief they have every chance of success. Here they understand they may have to take appropriate risk and may have to congratulate and be proud of a more successful peer on some occasions. We offer a range of clubs which pupils have the freedom to choose from, based on their interests.

Through our E-Safety, philosophy 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. At Swinemoor we believe that valuing choice, freedom, appropriate risk taking, a desire to win and appreciating our fellow competitors in daily school life will foster a value for individual liberty as the children embark upon their adult lives.

Our pupils learn together with respect for each other. We value and celebrate our peers, as evidenced on our website. Every pupil knows that we respect and appreciate each other no matter what differences may exist. Mutual respect is a core value of our School Aims. Without our community working together, achieving together and competing inter and intra school, our School Aims could not be fulfilled.

We offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which all major religions are studied and respected. Parents and leaders of different faiths are welcomed to the school to share their beliefs. We believe that tolerance is gained through knowledge and understanding.

Through our curriculum and the routines of our daily school life, we strive to become knowledgeable, understanding and successful citizens who can build a better Swinemoor, Beverley, Yorkshire, and Britain for the future.

Swinemoor Primary School Aims

In our school everybody should work constantly to develop a purposeful and quality environment, well ordered for work and free from unnecessary interruption and intimidation. We believe this environment is necessary to create a broad and balanced curriculum where everybody has their best chance to:

  • Achieve beyond expectations

  • Be proud of our community, our school, our achievements and our peers

  • Compete, with the belief that we have every chance of success

  • Develop a culture where we take appropriate risk, understanding this is how people learn, grow and achieve things they thought were too difficult

  • Enable people to work together, in order to achieve more than we could on our own

“Very happy with everything the school does. Loved the Christmas plays – both of them.”
What We Like - Parent feedback
“That the children are very proud of their work and teachers make sure they are rewarded.”
What We Like - Parent feedback
“How the children progress and where necessary they are given help to achieve that progress.”
What We Like - Parent feedback
“Strong headteacher. Caring and intelligent teachers. Good curriculum. Good discipline.”
What We Like - Parent feedback
“Staff are welcoming and willing to help/listen. Child always seems happy.”
What We Like - Parent feedback
“The fact they have a very modern approach to their teaching and the headmaster is very much involved and isn’t scared to get his hands dirty and interacts very well with all the staff and children.”
What We Like - Parent feedback
“That each child’s needs are met, a great understanding (SEN)”
What We Like - Parent feedback
“I am impressed with the teaching at this school and pushing the kids into doing work they are capable of.”
What We Like - Parent feedback
” It’s a really good school with high achievers and high standards from the pupils. Very helpful if I’ve had a problem.”
What We Like - Parent feedback
” It’s a really good school with high standards and high achievers.”
What We Like - Parent feedback
“We like the fact that the children’s work/plays are able to be seen on the website and I think the teacher’s end of term videos are a great addition.”
What We Like - Parent feedback
“The respect both pupils and staff have for one another shows all around the school. It’s a very happy place to be.”
What We Like - Parent feedback
“I love the fact that the children and staff love being there and are so proud of their school.”
What We Like - Parent feedback
“Teaching staff in Y 5/6 who really challenge the children and move them forward.”
What We Like - Parent feedback
“We really enjoy all the school performances that parents are invited to.”
What We Like - Parent feedback
“Since starting Swinemoor my son has come on in leaps and bounds and in just a short time. I am looking forward to the further progress.”
What We Like - Parent feedback
“My daughter is making fantastic progress. The two performances I have seen have been excellent (Harvest and Christmas).”
What We Like - Parent feedback
“Competitions that occur each half term.”
What We Like - Parent feedback
“The enthusiasm of the staff and the fact my child has been encouraged to learn whilst being allowed to progress at his own speed.”
What We Like - Parent feedback
“Progress of the children and if and when necessary they are given extra help.”
What We Like - Parent feedback
“I like everything about the school. My child has made excellent progress.”
What We Like - Parent feedback
“The way that my child has improved 100% from last school.”
What We Like - Parent feedback
“All of the shows/ performances are so professional and we feel welcomed coming into school. I think the school instills confidence and high self esteem in pupils.”
What We Like - Parent feedback
“Always giving our children a challenge. Always pushing them harder, not taking satisfactory, but aiming high!.”
What We Like - Parent feedback
“The school is very clean and staff well dressed. Its nice when visiting to see all the work on display and to hear the excellent comments from the kids about their day.”
What We Like - Parent feedback
“Keep encouraging sport such as football and netball..”
What We Like - Parent feedback
“My daughter likes Swinemoor because she says ‘everyone is friendly’. I like it because all children are included and have the confidence to compete and challenge anyone.”
What We Like - Parent feedback