Buxton Junior School
Modern British Values at BJS
The definition of modern British Values was set out by the Government in 2011 as part of the Prevent Strategy (on which all staff have received up to date training), and are defined as the following:
- Democracy,
- The Rule of Law,
- Individual Liberty,
- Mutual respect and
- Tolerance of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs.
At Buxton Junior School we place modern British Values at the very heart of our school curriculum and ensure that these are introduced, discussed and lived out through the ethos and work of the school. Whilst our curriculum design ensures all subject areas provide a vehicle for promoting and deepening understanding of these values, we acknowledge that our RE days, PHSE curriculum, Circle Time and whole school Assemblies have particularly close links.
It is our aim to nurture our children on their journey through life so they become confident, happy citizens who are respectful of themselves and of others in our school, the local community and the wider world. We feel this will help them to become safe, caring, democratic, responsible and tolerant adults, who make a positive difference to British society and to the world.
As Buxton Junior School is situated in an area which is not culturally diverse, we place great emphasis on promoting diversity with the children, through assemblies, links to stories and people from a variety of faiths and culture, and through visits to a wide range of places of worship via our close links with Derby Open Centre. Furthermore, we will actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental modern British Values, including ‘extremist’ views. Some examples of how each of the modern British Values have been covered at Buxton Junior School can be found below:
Democracy: · We provide pupils with a broad general knowledge of, and promote respect for, public institutions and services · We encourage pupils to become involved in decision-making processes and ensure they are listened to in school · We participate in whole school votes to ensure decision making is democratic · We hold mixed year group ‘Circle Time’ sessions so pupils learn how to express, debate and defend points of view · We model how perceived injustice can be peacefully challenged · Our PSHE curriculum has some direct teaching on democracy e.g. the role of parliament | Rule of Law: · We gave all pupils a voice in the design of our school rules · We ensure school rules and expectations are clear and fair · We help pupils to distinguish right from wrong · We include visits from the Safer Neighbourhood police team in the curriculum and in our assemblies · We develop restorative justice approaches to resolve conflicts · Each family signs the Home School Agreement when their child(ren) start at Buxton Junior School · Every member of our school community signs the Anti-bullying charter in the school hall. |
Individual Liberty: · We support pupils to develop their knowledge, esteem and confidence · We encourage pupils to take responsibility for their learning and behaviour through our Ready, Respectful, Safe approach · We support pupils to know their rights and advise them how to do this safely for example through online-safety and PHSE lessons · We are committed to challenging stereotypes · We implement a strong anti-bullying culture | Respect and tolerance: · Our school ethos and behaviour policy is based on the core value of respect for each other · We promote respect for individual differences · We promote respect for diversity and equality · We help pupils to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life · We challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour · We organise visits to places of worship and receive visitors from different faith backgrounds · We discuss differences between people, such as differences of faith, ethnicity or disability · We celebrate Black History Month every year |