British Values

At Woodside Primary, we recognise the importance of preparing children for life in modern Britain and promoting values that are an integral part of 21st century British society.

The Key Values are:
  • Democracy
  • Rule of Law
  • Individual Liberty
  • Mutual Respect
  • Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
 We actively promote British Values across all subject areas and they also form the basis of our Key Stage assemblies. Pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people are subject to the law.

We aim to widen the children’s knowledge and experience of what is relevant today to support them in making informed choices. In PSHE, RE and other curriculum lessons, pupils take part in regular debates and discussions. E-safety sessions also promote the importance of children making informed choices about keeping themselves safe.

EQUALITY & DIVERSITY
The Equality Act 2010 combined nine separate pieces of legislation into one single Act simplifying the law and strengthening it in important ways to help tackle discrimination and inequality.

The Act introduced 9 protected characteristics;
  • Age
  • Disability
  • Gender reassignment
  • Marriage and civil partnership
  • Race
  • Religion and belief
  • Sex
  • Sexual orientation
  • Pregnancy and maternity
  • As a school we do not prejudice and are fully inclusive and supportive of our whole learning community.
Democracy
  • Rule of Law
  • Individual Liberty
  • Mutual Respect
  • Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
THE BRITISH LEGION

This year the children at Woodside Primary were extremely lucky to participate in the village remembrance service.

Remembrance honours those that have served and defended our freedom and way of life and those that continue to do so. At Woodside Primary, we ensure our children understand about British Values and that these values underpin the teaching across the curriculum.

Democracy

We have a pupil elected Junior Leadership Team, who are elected by their class peers and staff following presentations and letters of applications. 

They are responsible for making our school a better place. The election of the members reflects our British electoral system and demonstrates democracy in action. Candidates share qualities of leadership, pupils consider characteristics important for an elected representative and pupils vote in secret, using ballot boxes.

The Junior Leadership Team meet up regularly to discuss issues raised by different classes. Pupils across the school use their voice to share ideas and concerns with the members of the team. This forms the basis of further discussion and important decision making. The team provide feedback to the whole school and they have made their presence known to the school governors. We hope through embedding pupil voice and parliament, we will create a better understanding of living in a democratic society.

Parents’ opinions are welcomed at Woodside Primary through methods such as questionnaires, surveys, parents evenings, parent forum and open days.

Rule of Law

Our pupils will encounter rules and laws throughout their entire lives. The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, the community, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Woodside Primary.

Pupils are taught from an early age the rules of the school. These are our school and play rules. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws, that they govern us and keep us safe.

At the beginning of a school year, pupils will partake in discussion about classroom rules and school rules. Rules of the school are often revisited throughout the year during school assemblies and through our curriculum. This helps them to understand the reasons behind rules and the consequences if they are not adhered to.

Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce these messages as well as a well received Magistrates workshop for our older pupils led by local Magistrates. 

Individual Liberty
 
Pupils are actively encouraged to make choices and work independently. We promote freedom of choice and the right to express views and beliefs, whilst being respectful to others. We ensure that we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make informed choices safely. In lessons, we encourage children to select tasks that will challenge them, giving them more freedom to determine their own learning. We offer a range of clubs which pupils have the freedom to choose from, based on their interests. Through our E-Safety, we educate children on their rights and personal freedoms as well as supporting them in recognising how to exercise these freedoms safely.
Mutual Respect
 
Respect is one of the core values of our school and underpins our work every day, starting with self-respect and covering respect for family, friends, other groups, the world and its people and the environment. The pupils know and understand that showing respect to everyone, whatever differences we may have, is an expectation. Through our curriculum and assemblies, we ensure that pupils understand the importance of mutual respect.
Tolerance of those of other faiths and beliefs
 
Woodside  Primary is a school which is not culturally diverse. Promoting diversity is therefore central to gaining knowledge and understanding of different faiths and religions. Through R.E, PSHE, SMSC and our weekly assemblies, we strive to teach and demonstrate tolerance of other faiths and beliefs. We celebrate cultural differences across a range of subjects. The children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths. Members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to visit the school to enrich and extend understanding.