At Killigrew, we value the diversity of backgrounds of all pupils, families and the wider school community. We are committed to serving the community. We recognise the multi-cultural, multi-faith nature of the United Kingdom and understand the crucial role our school plays in promoting these values. We take our responsibility to prepare children for life in modern Britain very seriously. We value the ethnic backgrounds of all pupils and families and undertake a variety of events and lessons to celebrate and explore these alongside other cultures in our country.
The DfE has reinforced the 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. The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated by the Prime Minister this year. At Killigrew, values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy
Democracy is rife within the school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through pupil questionnaires, worry boxes and the School Council. The elections of the School Council and House Captains are based on pupil votes. We use opportunities such as general and local elections to hold mock elections.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are
consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through assemblies. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when the laws are broken. Visits from the authorities such as the police are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message. Children in Year 6 take part in Hazard Alley workshops.
Individual Liberty
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it is through choice, challenge, how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual Respect
Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around core values such as respect, and pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. Posters around the school reinforce our school rules as well as our behaviour policy. This is also including in our ‘Community Theme’ assembly focuses.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE. Members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school and our assemblies reflect the different religions within our school. Focuses have included Easter, Rosh Hashanah, Diwali and Eid.