British Values

Fundamental British Values underpin what it is to be a citizen in a modern and diverse Great Britain, valuing our communities and celebrating the growing diversity around us. These values are Democracy; Individual Liberty; Rule of Law; Respect and Tolerance. This is how we address British Values at Cranham Church of England Primary.

Our aims:

• All children have a voice, know it will be heard and are taught how to listen to others
• Children having opportunities to lead and shape our school
• Children have opportunities given throughout the day to express their views; support is in place for those who find this difficult
• Children know how the local council and parliament operate
• Children have the confidence to peacefully challenge perceived injustices

How we achieve this at Cranham:

• Our School Council is elected annually to promote and model the democratic system
• Several changes have been made within school as a result of pupil voice - children know they are heard and that they have an important role in the direction of our school
• Our Pupil Worship Team regularly design and lead collective worship
• We organise an annual visit from a local MP along with a Parliament workshop
• Y6 annually participate in Stroud Mock Trials
• We plan regular class debates
• Debate is encouraged during our weekly current affairs collective worship
• Our weekly current affairs collective worship provides emotion response grids to support children in expressing their emotions and views
• Children are encouraged in class and in collective worship to raise their hand and say, ‘I would like to challenge that’
• Children have the opportunity weekly to peer nominate a child for a Values Award certificate

Our aims:

• Children are aspirational and ambitious, develop confidence and resilience, make choices and take responsibility
• Children's current interests and ambitions are recognised as well as opportunities for children to discover new ones
• All children have a voice and are taught to question and challenge if they are unsure
• Children feel confident to challenge stereotypes
• Children know how to manage risks and keep themselves safe including online

How we achieve this at Cranham:

• Through the school curriculum, teachers provide daily opportunities for children to challenge themselves and develop their confidence and resilience
• When rules have not been followed, or respect has not been shown, resolution is always a priority - we teach our children to be accountable for their actions
• Through our fundraising links with Dornakal (India), as well as various other charity opportunities throughout the year, children are encouraged to be courageous advocates - we want them to know they have the power to be a change for good in the world
• Children’s achievements are celebrated weekly in Values collective worship and in the school newsletter
• Children's extra-curricular achievements (such as music and sports) are also celebrated weekly within a whole school context
• We provide several after-school clubs and activities in order to allow choice so that children's individual interest can develop
• Children are encouraged in class and in collective worship to raise their hand and say, ‘I would like to challenge that’
• PSHE sessions are planned carefully to cover subjects such as stereotypes and keeping themselves safe
• Weekly current affairs collective worship exposes children to a range of issues allowing new interests to develop

Our aims:

• Children have high expectations of their own and others’ behaviour
• Children understand the importance of rules and laws and know that everyone is responsible for them
• Children understand that rules are there to protect them

How we achieve this at Cranham:

• Our behaviour policy is regularly updated and shared, ensuring all staff and pupils follow consistently
• A behaviour log is used to record incidents so recurring issues are flagged and patterns can be identified
• Each class has a 'Ready to Grow' positivity chart as a clear reminder for children of our high behaviour expectations
• Our 'Ready to Grow' chart has been developed an adapted according to pupil voice feedback
• We organise regular Police Service visits so that children feel comfortable around police officers, knowledgeable about their role and develop a trustful relationship
• We run a playground peer mediator system - pupils are trained to help to spot, de-escalate and resolve conflict by using our school behaviour expectations as a starting point
• Current affairs collective worship has regular links to the rule of law

Our aims:

• Children understand that people’s faiths and beliefs are different, and respect that
• Children understand that people may lead very different lives, with very different experiences
• Children demonstrate respect for other people’s ideas, views and opinions even if they differ from their own - they understand that it's fine to disagree
• Children respect themselves, others, school and the environment
• Children demonstrate respect and tolerance through speech, behaviour and body language

How we achieve this at Cranham:

• Our RE and Wellbeing (PSHE) curriculums are carefully designed to regularly address respect and tolerance
• Our RE curriculum is designed to include an annual visit to a religious building / from a religious leader
• Our weekly current affairs collective worship exposes children to a range of topics including culture, religion, social, moral, environment, politics
• Respect and tolerance is modelled daily through real-life learning and diversity is celebrated
• How to disagree with someone politely and respectfully, whilst still respecting their opinion, is modelled regularly
• Our community links are very well established
• Protected characteristics are taught and discussed through collective worship alongside our carefully designed wellbeing (PSHE) and RE curriculums
• Our school lacks diversity in comparison to many other primaries; we use a range of quality texts in collective worship and wellbeing to support our children to better understand how to respect and celebrate the differences within our country...

"Parents readily explain how staff make sure each child is understood and loved in the school family. The vision and curriculum reflect contextual needs, but staff raise awareness of the national and global world issues, so pupils think beyond themselves."

(SIAMS Report 2023)