British Values

The Department for Education expects schools to:

Create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation to promote the fundamental British Values of:

democracy,
the rule of law,
individual liberty
mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

At Goldthorn Park we prides ourselves on the implementation of British values throughout the school. Fundamental British values are embedded throughout the curriculum. Not only do we respect British values and believe in them, we actively promote them across the school.

We strive to ensure that our students develop a sense of understanding about our country and the values that we hold.

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”.

At Goldthorn Park our curriculum provides an opportunity to integrate British values into each child's learning and how best to apply these to real-life contexts.

All pupils have the opportunity to make choices throughout the course of each school day. They are encouraged to reflect upon their choices and to express their opinions in the appropriate manner knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. Our curriculum provides many opportunities to teach pupils about Democracy, most notably through PSHE among many other subjects.

Democracy is established at our school and children have the opportunities to have their voices heard. Examples of this are:

Pupil Voice:

Opportunities are provided for pupils to share their thoughts through annual surveys and regular conversations with school leaders.

Goldthorn Park’s Voice:

Every September, children have the opportunity to nominate themselves to represent their class as an ambassador. Ambassador roles include:

Head Boy and Head Girl
School Councillor
Welcome Committee
Play Leaders
Sports Leaders
Maths Ambassadors
Reading Ambassadors
Science Ambassadors
Sports Ambassadors

Wellbeing Ambassadors
Digital Leaders
Young Interpreters

Pupils are encouraged to nominate themselves for an Ambassador role and are selected by class teachers. Pupils who wish to be School Councillors create election campaigns and are voted for by their classmates, mirroring our national system of democracy. Pupil Premium and SEND pupils are encouraged and supported with their nominations and votes. Pupils selected to represent their class for one of these roles are presented with a badge and meet with fellow ambassadors regularly to plan ways to develop school life or organise community events. They are encouraged to report back to their classes and seek the views of their peers to take back to Ambassador/School Council meetings, ensuring that pupils voice is heard and has an impact on school life.

Badge Holders and Ambassadors are role models and promote the core British Values, school rules and Goldthorn Park values through the activities that they undertake. These include taking part in community events such as raising money for charity and supporting wellbeing.

Democracy

Our school rules are regularly taught and consistently enforced and reinforced. Pupils are taught the importance of following rules to ensure that they are always ready, respectful and safe. The impact of not following rules is shared and the curriculum provides many opportunities to teach the importance of respect and consideration for other people. Children 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 help reinforce this message.

The Rule of Law

Individual Liberty

Pupils at Goldthorn Park recognise that each one of them is unique and that we are proud of them all. Pupils are encouraged to demonstrate their talents without fear or compromise. Throughout the school day, children are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. Pupils are encouraged to reflect on their own choices and the impact on others through restorative conversations. A range of clubs and extra-curricular activities are provided, which encourage pupils to follow their own interests including, sports, music, creative arts.

Mutual Respect

Our students are part of a vibrant and diverse school where all cultures and personalities are treasured. We celebrate multicultural Britain, and ensure that our students are aware of, and enthusiastic about, the incredible range of culture and perspectives that our local area and nation has to offer. Goldthorn Park Primary is proud to be a School of Sanctuary. Assemblies and school events provide opportunities to celebrate people and events from a range of cultures and backgrounds.

Weekly merit assemblies are held to celebrate pupils’ achievements both in and out of school.

School rules are regularly taught and consistently enforced, ensuring pupils develop respect for others and consider the impact of their behaviour.

Tolerance of those with different Faiths and Beliefs

Our school is based in an area of cultural diversity, and our school communities reflect this. We promote and celebrate diversity with the children, helping them to understand their place in our society and how they can unite with others to build a progressive and understanding tomorrow. Goldthorn Park is proud to be a School of Sanctuary.

Assemblies address key themes such as belonging, prejudices and prejudice-based bullying. Our PSHE curriculum tackles bullying and teaches pupils about discrimination. History lessons cover periods of time when discrimination was rife including national celebrations such as Black History Month and Refugee Week.

Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. For Religious Education lessons, we follow the Wolverhampton Agreed Syllabus and pupils develop in-depth understanding about a range of faiths. Our children and staff have celebrated various festivals and events including Holi, Diwali and Eid to experience the similarities and differences with our faith. We have links with local churches and temples and school visits take place, enabling pupils to learn first-hand about others’ religions and practices.

Goldthorn Park prides itself on holding whole school celebrations which develop children’s cultural capital by providing a wealth of experiences.

•The Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games provide the opportunity for the whole school to participate in learning about other countries. Trust Schools collaborate in joint projects but also compete in a range of sporting tournaments, providing opportunities for children from different faiths, cultures and backgrounds to meet and learn from each other.

•The platinum Jubilee was celebrated in school with a special themed day and tea party.

•A range of Charity Appeals are supported throughout the year including the Poppy Appeal, Children in Need, Comic Relief and Harvest provides an excellent opportunity to provide for our local people by supporting the Good Shepherd charity which provides food and support for homeless people.

We regularly, audit our delivery of British Values to ensure all values are promoted through the curriculum and enrichment activities.