At Eppleton Academy we ensure that through our vision, values, rules, curriculum and teaching we promote tolerance and respect for all cultures, faiths and lifestyles. We have a duty to prepare our children for life in modern Britain and to keep them safe. As an academy, we value and celebrate the diversity of backgrounds of all pupils, families and the wider school community. Our school reflects British values in all that we do.
We aim to nurture our children on their journey through life so they can grow into safe, caring, democratic, responsible and tolerant adults who make a positive difference to British society and to the world. We encourage our children to be creative, unique, open-minded and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and of others in our school, our local community and the wider world.
At Eppleton Academy Primary School we recognise the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom and acknowledge our responsibility to prepare children for the world in which they will live. Therefore, in addition to our values, we teach children British Values, both through our teaching and wider activities. These are The rule of Law, Individual liberty, Mutual respect and tolerance and Democracy.
The Department for Education states that there is a 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”.
The Department for Education defines British Values as follows:
At Eppleton Academy, our pupils learn about fundamental British Values through a range of situations and experiences which include everyday teaching and discussions, assemblies, visits and visitors and curriculum.
Our Breakout curriculum is designed to teach pupils about The rule of Law, Individual liberty, Mutual respect and tolerance and Democracy. Pupils will take part in weekly Breakout sessions which support learning PSHE, RSE, Mental Health and Wellbeing, SMSC, British Values and the wider world.
Every week each class will ‘break out’ of normal routines to take part in Curriculum Breakout sessions. The curriculum is designed so that each week the classes from EYFS to Year 6 will explore the same ‘Focus’ but will each have a different question to consider. The areas we focus on for teaching British Values are Tolerance, Rule of Law, Democracy, Individual Liberty, Proud to be British and Have your Voice Heard. The questions are designed to enable progression from EYFS to Year 6. During the session the children will take part in active, hands on sessions designed to engage each and every child. Each session is designed to widen our children’s minds by exploring themes and topics related to themselves, others and the world they live in. At the end of each Curriculum Breakout session the children will discuss the ‘Meaningful Message’ from that session. This is an important part of the session which enables teachers to assess if children have developed an understanding of the focus for that week.
The importance of law is consistently reinforced throughout the school day in our one school rule: ‘Be responsible, Be respectful, Be safe.’ 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. Class rules and charters support this and circle time is used as an opportunity to discuss situations that benefit from whole class consideration. The school has very good links with authorities such as the Police and Fire Service and topics from Reception’s ‘people who help us’ to Year 6’s
Eppleton Academy has a clear anti-bullying policy which uses restorative approaches. Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our online safety work and the school council.
A hugely important one for us, which links to our school value of respect and our three school rules, which helps to create a safe, calm, happy environment for everyone. Through celebrating diversity, we teach children that the freedom to hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law and that it is important to identify and combat prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour. Beyond tolerance, we aim to celebrate different faiths or beliefs to give children a positive view of the rich and vibrant culture that is Britain today.
We support children to develop an understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process with numerous pupil voice/consultation activities, including school council elections and pupil questionnaires.
Read more
Read more
Read more
Read more
Read more
Read more
