The Department for Education has introduced a statutory duty for schools to promote British Values more actively from September 2014, and to ensure they are taught in schools.

Oakfield Primary School is committed to serving its community.  It recognises the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom.  It also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.

It follows equal opportunities guidance which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. Oakfield Primary School strives to prepare pupils for their adult life beyond the formal, examined curriculum and ensuring that it promotes and reinforces British values to all its pupils.

The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.

The five key British Values are:

  • Democracy
  • The rule of law
  • Individual liberty
  • Mutual respect
  • Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

The school uses strategies within the national curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for students. The examples that follow show some of the many ways that Oakfield Primary School seeks to instil British Values.

Democracy

  • Whole school involvement in Smart Schools Council
  • Pupil voice contributes to relevant decision making.
  • Pupil questionnaires allow children to feedback to staff.
  • Jigsaw PSHE curriculum.
  • Assemblies.

The rule of law

  • School code of conduct is discussed throughout the year during assembly time.
  • Rewards and sanctions shared and understood by all pupils.
  • Adults consistently use the language of rights, responsibilities, choice and consequence.
  • Visits into school from Police, Fire Service and PCSOs.
  • Jigsaw PSHE curriculum.
  • Assemblies.

Individual liberty

  • Anti –bullying policy and procedures in place and used consistently.
  • Annual Anti-bullying Week.
  • Consistent application of the Behaviour Policy.
  • Work of the Pastoral Support Team.
  • Pupil counsellor available.
  • Year 5 and 6 pupils trained as Peer Pals.
  • Cyber-bullying and E-Safety covered in all classes.
  • Jigsaw PSHE curriculum.
  • Assemblies.

Mutual respect

  • Modelling of behaviour by all adults in school.
  • Constant reinforcement of rights, rules and responsibilities.
  • Involvement of parent helpers in school.
  • RE curriculum.
  • Jigsaw PSHE curriculum.
  • Assemblies.

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

  • Planned RE curriculum.
  • Celebration of different religious festivals.
  • Visitors from and visits to places of worship.
  • Links to St Mary’s Church, Hyde Mosque.
  • Jigsaw PSHE curriculum.
  • Assemblies.