British Values
As a school, we value and celebrate the diverse heritages of everybody at Birchwood Junior School. We value and celebrate being part of Britain and children learn what it means to be British, from their own as well as other people’s perspectives. We do this by teaching British Values. By learning Democracy, Rules and Laws, Tolerance and Individual Liberty, we teach values that will make them better British citizens.
Below is an overview of the values and principles that we aim to encourage our pupils to demonstrate, within our Curriculum. Click on the value to find out more information.
Democracy
Children, parents and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard at Birchwood Junior School. Democracy is central to how we operate.
Each year the children decide upon their class rules and the rights associated with these. All the children contribute to the drawing up of the rules. We have a student council which meets regularly to discuss issues raised from classes. The council is genuinely able to effect change within the school. Children have an annual questionnaire where they are able to put forward their views about the school.
Find updates on school council meetings here:
Individual Liberty
Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Through the provision of a safe, supportive environment and empowering education, we provide boundaries for our young pupils to make choices safely.
At Birchwood Junior School we encourage our pupils to be true to who they are and demonstrate this through our ‘It’s Okay to be Different’ display.
It's Ok To Be...
Respect & Tolerance
Birchwood Junior School is a diverse school. We actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures. Religious Education lessons and RSHE lessons reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others. Members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. The children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths.
Our Religious Education curriculum plays a large part in promoting tolerance in our pupils. By learning the beliefs of others gain understanding and learn respect and tolerance.
To find out more about the school’s RE curriculum.
Rule of Law
The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Birchwood Junior. Pupils are taught from an early age the rules of the school. There are our class rules, playground rules and e-safety procedures. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the
consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message.
Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves, and the consequences when laws are broken.
Years 5 and 6 take part in the Mini Police, which is a fun and interactive volunteering opportunity for 9 to 11-year-old children. Led by school staff and supported by police, children will learn about policing issues, staying safe and undertaking some volunteering activity in support of a local policing priority. As well as benefitting the community, research highlights the benefits for the personal development of young people involved as well the positive benefits this can have on their overall trust and confidence in the police.
For more information on Mini Police at Birchwood Junior School
