British Values
How we promote British Values at Bramley Sunnyside Junior School
The DfE have reinforced the need: ‘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.’
At Bramley Sunnyside Junior School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy here at Bramley Sunnyside Junior School
Every year each class decide upon their own class charter / rules empowering children to be part of the decision making process.
Our student councils meet on a regular basis to discuss issues raised. Children have to apply and be voted to become a member of our council.
Children complete regular questionnaires about school life and specific subjects allowing freedom of speech and viewpoints to be shared.
Democracy is explained and children are given many opportunities to debate the issues currently being addressed in the news.
The Rule of Law here at Bramley Sunnyside Junior School
Children learn, as they begin their journey into the Junior School, what our school rules are.
They encompass expectations both within and outside of the classroom as well as in the local community. Children are given the opportunity to reflect upon laws within our country.
Children are taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.
Visits from authorities such as the police, fire service and NSPCC help reinforce this message. Y6 children visit Crucial Crew on an annual basis which is a police education programme.
Our system for behaviour is aligned to our set of rules and children are rewarded and receive sanctions through a clear and structured process.
Individual Liberty here at Bramley Sunnyside Junior School
Children are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-safety and PSHE lessons.
Children are given the freedom to make choices e.g. signing up for our broad range of after school clubs and other responsibilities at school, e.g. Healthy Tuck Shop Monitor, Playground Leader and Problem Solver.
Children engage in enterprise projects and make informed choices regarding fundraising initiatives. Our Well-Being Ambassadors work closely with our Student Council to raise funds. Currently, we are raising money to improve our playground facilities.
As a school we educate and provide boundaries for our children to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and empowering education.
Mutual Respect here at Bramley Sunnyside Junior School
Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect. The first of our school rules reads:
Be kind through the words we speak and through our actions.
Assemblies are used to regularly promote ‘respect’ and children have all been involved in discussions relating to what this means and how it can be shown.
When a child achieves to their best of their ability, this is celebrated in a weekly celebration assembly.
Additional support is given to individual children to help develop self-esteem and the concept of respect. This is facilitated by our Pastoral and Inclusion Mentor and external professionals.
Tolerance of Those Different Faiths and Beliefs
We aim to educate and enhance children’s understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society. Collective worship and discussions involving prejudice based bullying are supported by Religious Education lessons, PSHE lessons and by working with Rotherham United Football Club who offer ‘Respect’, ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ and 'Banter verses Bullying' training.
We have very good relationships with our local church, St. Francis', where we visit termly to celebrate our learning with families and community members. Year group curriculum topics including learning about and, most importantly, from other faiths and misconceptions between religions are addressed as well as prejudices that may occur.
Our curriculum is designed to provide opportunities to develop better global knowledge and understanding. We value first hand experiences and as a result we seek to build tolerance and respect of different faiths and beliefs through the study of a variety of faith buildings.
School has strong links with Ann Foxley-Johnson – Anti-Bullying Ambassador who has developed skills, knowledge and understanding around the following areas:
- What is bullying?
- Problem Solvers – Conflict Resolution
- Challenging homophobic views – That’s so Gay!
- Cyber Savvy
We are very proud to be working so closely with Mrs Ann Foxley-Johnson (Anti-Bullying Alliance) - promoting and celebrating diversity across our Rotherham schools.
Too often, we are silent when we see bullying take place, silent about the hurt bullying causes, and silent when we hear bullying dismissed as ‘just banter’.
It doesn't have to be this way.
Of course, we won’t like everyone and we don’t always agree, but we can choose respect and unity.
This Anti-Bullying Week let’s come together to have discussions about what bullying means to us, how banter can turn into something more hurtful, and what we can do to stop bullying. Together, we can make a difference and take a stand against bullying.
From the playground to Parliament, and from our phones to our homes, let’s make a noise about bullying.