British values

The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values were reiterated in 2014. The Department for Education has recently 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.”

Although working within the organisation of an Academy Trust, Sybourn Primary is, and always will be, a ‘community’ school.  We aim to work closely with our parents, other schools and organisations, building partnerships, which benefit, not only our children, but others in the wider community, both on a local, national and global level. 

At Sybourn Primary, Fundamental British values are reinforced regularly throughout the broad and balanced curriculum and are further supported in the following ways: 

Democracy

At the beginning of each year children affirm the school's values, expectations and the rights and responsibilities associated with these. Every child and staff member takes responsibility for instilling these values into the school community. The children and staff work with each other to create shared learning environments where everyone is responsible for the high expectations that we believe in.

Pupil Voice is firmly embedded in the ethos of our school and children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. Our School Council and Head Boy & Girl programme is just one example of this. Elections are held at the beginning of each year and all children in Years 1 to 6 are invited to stand. A councillor is elected from each class to represent the opinions, suggestions and issues raised from the class. School Council meetings are held twice a term and are led by councillors from Year 6. In addition, the Council is divided into sub-committees which meet termly to discuss issues, conduct surveys, plan fundraising events etc.

Democracy is threaded throughout the LAT curriculum, and further underpinned through a series of assemblies and class-based PSCHE/RSE sessions. Children regularly get opportunities to express their views in school through Pupil Voice interviews and school surveys.  where they are able to put forward their views about the school.

Sybourn Primary School has already gained the Record of Commitment (ROC), and Level 1 towards the UNICEF Rights Respecting School Award. Each year the children decide upon their “class charter”, as well as the rights associated with these, and all children contribute to the drawing up of the charters.

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 regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. 

Pupils are taught from an early age the expectations of the school through our classroom rules and our Sybourn Values. This is further underpinned by the school's positive and restorative behaviour policy which is designed to encourage all pupils to be models of excellence.

Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service and wider community support help reinforce this message.

At Sybourn we offer a wide range of exciting opportunities for children to be leaders in many contexts, and they understand that the rules they have created are there to keep them and others safe and happy in all the learning they take part in. This extends to visits and learning outside of the school, acting as ambassadors while on school trips. This level of responsibility and understanding from our children means that teachers can organise engaging and exciting school trips that further enhance the curriculum offer for all pupils. 

Individual Liberty 

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices and take responsibility for these choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school, we have a responsibility to provide all children with boundaries and safety through rules and regulations, but also to give our children opportunities to make mistakes and to learn from their experiences.

Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, whether this be through a comprehensive programme of e-safety lessons taught through the Computing curriculum, or through the RSE curriculum which focuses on the choices we have. 

From the very start of their school education, all children are encouraged to challenge themselves by giving them ownership of their own learning through the development of assessment proficiency and individual targets. Through an effective marking and feedback policy, all children have next steps shared with them relevant to their age and stage, whether verbally or with feedback in books, so that they know exactly what they can do to progress. Children are excited to respond to their feedback and to progress with their learning, trying to achieve their goals and individual targets. 

Mutual Respect

Respect and Responsibility are key values that permeate through all aspects of school life, and underpinned through our 'Sybourn Values system', children develop core values, (Respect, Responsibility, Aspiration, Honesty and Kindness). These values are fundamental to the way in which we support and care for each other, the community and for the environment. 

We encourage a community spirit and sense of belonging, where children show respect for each other, understand differences and have a very clear sense of right and wrong. Children learn that their behaviour impacts not only on their own rights, but those of others. All members of the school community are expected to treat each other with respect.

Our assembly programme regularly covers the theme of ‘respect’, and pupils have been part of discussions related to what this means and how we show it. When children leave Sybourn, they do so not only as enthusiastic and learners, but also as responsible and caring young people with an understanding of their role as part of a community.

When a child does well, their achievement is valued and rewarded in a variety of ways. Acheivement is visible and displayed for everyone to learn from their positive attitude and hard work. Learning and effort are highly respected and the whole school is focused on developing a great sense of worth and achievement.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

This is achieved through enhancing pupils’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by educating them and giving them opportunities to experience different faiths and beliefs, be they similar or different to their own.

Sybourn Primary School is situated in a culturally diverse area and there is a strong history and philosophy within the school of celebrating cultural diversity.

Our programme of assemblies address understanding and acceptance of different faiths and beliefs through stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures. Religious Education (RE), Personal, Social, Health, Citizenship and Economic Education (PSHCE) and our RSE curriculum further reinforces this. In RE lessons, members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes, and the school and classes visit places of worship that are important to different faiths.

Open evenings, termly productions and Diversity Month, together with annual events such as our International Diversity event, Winter Wonderland and the Summer Fete, are just a sample of some of the significant dates in the school calendar, which are always well-supported and enjoyed by pupils, families, staff and members of the wider community.

At Sybourn Primary School we have a commitment to actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.