Promoting British Values

In accordance with The Department for Education, we aim to promote British Values at Northwood to ensure that our young people leave us prepared for life in modern Britain. All pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures having respect and tolerance and understand that although different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law.

The Key British Values are as follows:

-Democracy

-Rule of law

-Individual liberty

-Mutual respect

-Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

Democracy            

At Northwood Community Primary, children get the opportunity to have their voices heard through discussion within their classes using our Kagan approach. They can also share ideas through the voice of the Pupil Council. Each class vote for their representative and have the opportunity to discuss their thoughts and their feelings with their representative, along with getting feedback from the Pupil Council on how issues are solved.

The Rule of Law

The importance of ‘Laws’, whether they be those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout the curriculum at Northwood. They are also promoted via the implementation of our Emotion Regulation Policy. Children agree on their own class charter at the start of each year in order to promote a positive, safe and healthy learning environment. Visits from different members of society who deal with the law and visits from different authorities and charities help to reinforce this message.

Individual Liberty

Children are actively encouraged to make choices at school. We provide many opportunities for this within our Kagan approaches in class to the experiences we allow the children during their time in our Forest School area or during outdoor play and learning. Our aim is to create an environment where children feel able to become resilient learners and strive to be challenged at whatever stage they are at. Children at Northwood are nurtured to allow them to gain both confidence and independence. We want them to have the knowledge of their rights and responsibilities and how to use them appropriately. We teach these through ICT, Online Learning and PSHE lessons. It is important for children to make their own informed choices (which is demonstrated on a daily basis, whether it be through choice of challenge, meal at lunch or participation in OPAL activities or extra curricular clubs).

Mutual Respect

Part of our school’s vision and Emotion Regulation Policy revolves around our cores values, such as ‘respect’. Children participate in discussions and assemblies (such as our weekly themed assembly) that relates to what respect means and how it is shown. The displays around our school promote respect for others and this is reinforced through our Class Charters, daily conversations and general expectations. Our system for emotion and regulation recognises excellence and pupils are given leadership roles throughout our school through a variety of duties- these are both informed choice and expected.

Tolerance of those with Different Faiths and Beliefs

Children at Northwood have the opportunity to learn about those who follow a different religion or culture through carefully planned RE lessons and these values are also embedded into our Emotion Regulation Policy. As a school, we aim to give children an understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience visits and visitors linked to our RE curriculum.

The Prevent Duty 

The Prevent duty requires all education providers 'to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism'. This includes safeguarding children, young people and adult learners from extremist ideologies and radicalisation.