British Values at Farsley Westroyd Primary School

At Farsley Westroyd Primary School, we are committed to embedding and promoting British Values in all aspects of school life. These values are essential for developing pupils into respectful, responsible citizens who are well-prepared for life in modern Britain. Our approach ensures that these values are a daily part of our school culture, helping children to understand and appreciate their role in society.

Our motto, "Good to be me, good to be Westroyd, Good to be Farsley," is embedded throughout our promotion of British Values. It reflects our commitment to nurturing a positive identity, respect for our community, and pride in being part of Farsley Westroyd. These values are deeply aligned with the British Values we uphold.

Every school year, we start by dedicating the first week back to focusing on British Values alongside the Protected Characteristics. This dedicated time helps ensure that pupils have a solid foundation and understanding of these important values and characteristics, which we build on throughout the rest of the year. By emphasising this at the start, we create a shared understanding that sets the tone for positive, inclusive behaviour and learning in all areas of school life.

What Are British Values?

The Department for Education defines British Values as:

• Democracy
• The Rule of Law
• Individual Liberty
• Mutual Respect
• Tolerance of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

We believe that these values should be a living part of our school experience, and we take active steps to make them relevant and accessible to our pupils.

How We Promote British Values at Farsley Westroyd

1. Democracy

We give our pupils a voice in decisions that affect their school life. Pupils participate in democratic processes, such as electing representatives for the School Council and other leadership roles. We hold regular discussions and class votes on topics that are important to our pupils, including voting for their Sheep Point prizes, helping them to understand the principles of fairness, equality, and shared decision-making.

• School Council: Elected by their peers, our School Council members meet regularly to discuss and influence school policies, activities, and projects. This allows pupils to experience democracy in action and understand its importance in wider society.

2. The Rule of Law

Understanding the importance of laws, rules, and responsibilities is a vital part of school life at Farsley Westroyd. From the classroom to the playground, children learn why rules are necessary, how they protect us, and what happens when they are broken.

• Classroom Rules: Each class works together to create a set of rules for our Sheep Points at the start of the year, helping pupils to understand the need for structure and shared responsibilities.

• Visits from Authorities: We welcome visitors from the local police and other services to explain the role of law in keeping people safe and ensuring justice.

3. Individual Liberty

We encourage our pupils to make choices in a safe and supportive environment. By providing a nurturing atmosphere, we help children develop self-confidence and the ability to take responsibility for their actions. Pupils are encouraged to express their opinions, pursue their interests, and understand their rights within the school and wider community.

• Freedom of Choice: Pupils are given the freedom to choose extracurricular activities, take on roles of responsibility, and make informed choices about their learning.

• E-Safety and Personal Safety: We educate our pupils about their rights and freedoms while also providing guidance on staying safe, especially online, so they understand that liberty comes with responsibility.

4. Mutual Respect

Respect is at the heart of everything we do at Farsley Westroyd. Our school ethos, rules, and relationships are built on mutual respect between pupils, staff, and the wider school community. We promote positive behaviour, good manners, and understanding of others’ feelings and perspectives.

• Restorative Approaches: We use restorative practices to resolve conflicts, helping children to reflect on their actions and understand how they affect others. This approach reinforces the importance of empathy and mutual respect.

• Celebrating Diversity: We actively celebrate cultural and social diversity through assemblies, themed days, and the curriculum to foster respect for different backgrounds and experiences.

5. Tolerance of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

At Farsley Westroyd, we value the richness of our diverse community. We promote understanding and tolerance of people with different faiths, beliefs, and cultural backgrounds. Through the curriculum, assemblies, and special events, pupils learn about a variety of religions and worldviews, fostering an environment of inclusion and tolerance.

• Religious Education: Our RE curriculum explores different faiths, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism. We encourage pupils to ask questions and explore different beliefs in a respectful and open-minded way.

• Cultural Celebrations: We mark important religious and cultural festivals throughout the year, allowing pupils to share their own experiences and learn from others.

Embedding British Values in Our Curriculum

British Values are embedded throughout our curriculum and in the daily life of our school. Through subjects such as PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic Education), history, and RE (Religious Education), pupils explore themes of democracy, justice, liberty, and respect. We also ensure that assemblies and themed events promote reflection on the importance of British Values in our everyday lives.

• British Values Posters in Every Classroom: Every classroom at Farsley Westroyd has a British Values poster displayed prominently. These posters serve as a constant reminder of the core values we uphold, and they are referred to regularly during lessons and discussions. Teachers use these posters to link classroom activities, subjects, and discussions back to British Values, helping pupils to recognise how these values apply to their learning and everyday life.

• Lesson Integration: Whether during PSHE, history, or other subjects, we encourage teachers and pupils to connect lesson content to one or more of the British Values, helping to reinforce their understanding in a meaningful way.

Using Newsround and Picture News Assemblies to Discuss British Values

We also take advantage of real-world events to explore and apply British Values. Each day, when we watch Newsround, we hold discussions about which British Value relates to the news stories we’ve seen. This allows pupils to:

• Understand how British Values are present in current events.
• Think critically about how these values influence our society.
• Reflect on how they can demonstrate these values in their own lives.

Our weekly Picture News assemblies provide another platform for promoting British Values. Each week, we explore a news story or theme that links to British Values, and pupils are encouraged to discuss and reflect on how these values are represented in the world today.

• Whole-School Reflection: During Picture News assemblies, we actively ask pupils to consider how the story relates to democracy, law, respect, and tolerance, fostering a whole-school dialogue about these values.

• Interactive Discussions: Pupils are encouraged to ask questions, share their thoughts, and link the assembly’s theme to their own lives and experiences.

Preparing Pupils for Life in Modern Britain

At Farsley Westroyd Primary School, we aim to create an inclusive environment where pupils feel valued and respected, and where they understand their role in contributing to society. By promoting British Values, we are helping to equip our pupils with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes they need to become thoughtful, responsible citizens in a diverse and ever-changing world.

Together, we foster a community where everyone feels safe, respected, and ready to take on the challenges of tomorrow.

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