The fundamental British values underpin what it is to be a citizen in a modern and diverse Great Britain while valuing the community within which we live and celebrating diversity.

Our school values permeate all that we do; our values of acceptance, achievement, independence, respect and perseverance weave throughout our curriculum and what we do on a daily basis.

Tolerance

Day-to-day experiences – We are incredibly proud of our diverse cohorts and celebrate this widely. We encourage our children to speak about their own beliefs and experiences.

EMAS – Due to the percentage of children who have English as an additional language (over 50%), we use the Ethnic Minority and Achievement Service to support the acquisition of English. The adults are treated like staff members by colleagues and children and we also use their expertise to celebrate festivals where appropriate.

Festivals and Celebrations – As a diverse school, amongst the children there are a number of different festivals and celebrations throughout the year. For example, Eid and Kurdish New Year. We allow children to celebrate this in school (Kurdish children are allowed to dress in traditional clothing for the day) and celebrate these festivals with the children as well as acknowledging traditional British celebrations such as Christmas.

Themed weeks – Throughout the year we have curriculum themed weeks. This gives the children the opportunity to work with others from across the school. The themed weeks have a variety of foci, some of which include curriculum themes, others more idea-based.  

Rule of Law

Behaviour Policy – Our behaviour policy is displayed in classrooms and discussed with the children when needed. It is shared in assemblies as part of the rules of the school and used in restorative conversations with the children.

Class Rules – At the beginning of each new academic year, the children create a class charter that they agree to adhere to throughout the year. This is often revisited and adapted with the children to reflect changes.

Links with PCSOs – We have strong links with our local PCSOs and encourage them to come into school to work with our children to develop their awareness of local issues.

Fire Safety Talks – Each year, Y2 and Y6 receive a talk from the Fire Safety crew – this teaches them the rules around fire safety and how to keep themselves and their families safe.

Cycling Proficiency – Our children in Y5 have the opportunity to take part in cycling proficiency every year. Part of this learning teaches children about the rules of cycling and the rules of the road.

Democracy

Pupil Parliament – Each year, new members of the pupil parliament are elected from across the school. Children put themselves forward to represent their class and votes are cast by the children. They then represent their class throughout the year.

Pupil Surveys – One of the ways pupils have the opportunity to share their views is through the annual survey. This covers a range of topics such as bullying, the quality of teaching and their future ambitions.

Pupil Leadership Team – The pupil leadership team consists of Year 6 children who work alongside the senior leadership to tackle issues on the school improvement plan. So far they have worked on creating resources to support the improvement of attendance.

Mental Health Ambassadors – Mental health ambassadors have been appointed to work alongside staff to promote good mental health across the school and with the local community. They have been involved in many projects such as completing acts of kindness.

Parent Survey – We encourage parents to have their say on the school’s strengths and areas of development through the annual parent survey. This covers areas such as homework, the quality of teaching and learning and whether they feel any issues raised have been dealt with effectively.

COPS – Our children have been involved in the annual COPS Summit, which is run by Portsmouth City Council. At this event, the children presented their own “child-friendly safeguarding policy” which has been rolled out across the school.

Local MP – Through the pupil parliament, links have been made with our local MP who has visited the school and worked with our children on understanding how parliament operates and how they can mirror this in school.

Mutual Respect

School values – Our school values are: Acceptance, Respect, Independence, Achievement and Perseverance. These run through our assemblies and curriculum

Restorative Approach – Portsmouth is a restorative city and we adopt the restorative approach to dealing with conflict. This encourages the children to listen to and respect the thoughts, values and opinions of others and take these into account when deciding on the best resolution.

Behaviour policy – 4Rs – Our behaviour policy includes the 4Rs; Regulate, Reflect, Restore and Return. The Restore element aims to ensure that the children show respect to those who have been involved in any conflict by ensuring that the situation is restored. We respect the individual if they do not want to receive the restoration.

Celebration Assembly – Each week the children get together to celebrate the achievements of themselves and others. They are taught to listen respectfully

Assembly Welcome – The children have the opportunity to show their respect to staff and children by responding to the person leading assembly by asking everyone to “keep safe, be kind and try your best.” These are backed up with actions.

Individual Liberty

Restorative Practice – Our restorative approach enables the children to deal with and resolve conflict evenly and fairly while having their own say during a resolution.

Assemblies – Throughout the year we cover various themes including topical events as they arise. We link these to our school values which are aimed at empowering children to make their own choices about how they should conduct themselves around school and in the local community.

Managing and understanding emotions – Our inclusive ethos supports children to understand their emotions through intervention as well as planned lessons. This enables them to make choices about how they best manage their emotions in class and around the school.

Roles and Responsibilities – We have a wide range of roles and responsibilities for children around school, such as the Eco Warriors, Pupil Leadership Team and Sports Leaders. As well as giving children a voice throughout the school, this enables them to influence elements of the school

Residential visits and extra-curricular activities – Through these opportunities, children are given the freedom to make safe choices which they can then apply to other situations outside of school.

---

Curriculum Links

English

• The school ensures that we regularly use books that include the key themes of tolerance, mutual respect and democracy within them. These books are also carefully selected to ensure they represent the school’s community e.g. multicultural settings, protagonists and authors with different ethnicities, heritages and beliefs e.g. When Stars Are Scattered, Child I, Coming to England, Ruby’s Worries.
• Year groups use poetry to discuss diversity, tolerance and discrimination and then use this as a stimulus to create their own work.

History

• WW2 is studied as an event where British values were tested. Democracy, rule of law and individual liberty are discussed within this unit and children are made aware of how these impact countries as well as individuals.
• During a journey titled ‘Fire! Fire!’ children are taught about the Gunpowder Plot to learn about the rule of law and the consequences of a lack of tolerance of different religions.
• Specific links have been highlighted to ensure that ‘Black history’ is incorporated into teaching.

Geography

• Units focusing on Greece, Egypt, Maya, Peru and Africa focus on how different cultures live and work.

Religious Education

• Years 1-6 teach an RE-focused journey once every half term and these reinforce the message of tolerance and respect for others.
• During their school career, children have the opportunity to visit places of worship from different faiths e.g. the church, mosque and synagogue
• Diversity is celebrated as children from different faiths are encouraged to celebrate special festivals in school e.g. Eid and Kurdish New Year

Citizenship

• A cyclical plan to promote the teaching of Identity, diversity and equality was created and this is taught by years 1-6. Children focus on understanding what makes them unique, why they are important, similarities and differences between one another and how some people might be discriminated against.
• Children learn about refugees and immigrants, whilst also learning about significant figures who led change e.g. Malala and Nelson Mandela, to understand about personal rights and freedoms and how to exercise these safely.

PSHE

• Mutual respect in terms of e-safety, relationships, friendship and family are focused on.
• Children in Year 5/6 look at different family units to encourage mutual respect and individual liberty.
• The Fire Service visits Years 2 and 6 every year to discuss their role in the community and how they keep us safe.
• Make and sustain friendships
• Solve problems with others by themselves
• Work and play cooperatively (this is an embedded part of the EY curriculum
• Recognise and stand up for their rights and the rights of others

Theme Days

• Cultural Diversity Day celebrates different cultures and immerses children in different clothes, food, languages, games etc from cultures around the world.
• E-safety day
• World Mental Health Day