Promoting Cultural capital and British values at Langshott Primary School

Our vision for promoting cultural capital:

By the end of Year 6, the children at Langshott Primary School will be well rounded, educated  citizens who have achieved personal empowerment, are independent learners and confident individuals. Underpinned by our school ethos of learning, pride, success, our learning powers and STARS rules, our ambition is for all children to be equipped for the future in our ever changing world.

From Reception to Year 6, the Langshott curriculum builds upon experiences, skills and knowledge, as children journey through the school. We plan our broad and balanced curriculum carefully to ensure children have progressive rich opportunities. Further to this, Langshott Primary School pupils benefit from introduction to cultures around the world and situations in which they might not have previously experienced.  Therefore, they are able to draw upon decision making skills, awareness of society and understanding of the world around them to be successful in society and the world of work. We believe this to be of paramount importance to their ongoing life and journey.

British values

The DfE stresses 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 were reiterated in 214.  At Langshott  these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy

• Each year the children decide upon their class rules and the rights associated with these. All the children contribute to this and talk about the importance of everyone playing a part in this.
• Every class elects two reps who form a group of school councillors. In year 5 we also elect a Chair and Vice-Car of the School Council and in year 6 we select a Head Girl and Boy and Deputy Head Girl and Boy. These children meet regularly with a teacher / the Headteacher to discuss issues that affect them within the school. They are consulted on changes within the school, for example on the new playground markings and the new library layout and make suggestions for improvement.

The Rule of Law

• The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Langshott.
• Pupils are taught from an early age the rules of the school and the reasons behind rules and laws i.e. that they govern and protect us. Children are also taught 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.
• The rules are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as in assemblies.
• At Langshott we have 4 STAR Rules as follows:  

  Self-control

  Take responsibilities for our actions

  Always follow instruction

  Respect

             Stay Safe

 

Individual Liberty

• At Langshott, 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 informed choices, through a safe environment and an 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 online safety and PSHE lessons.

Mutual Respect

• Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others.
• All members of the school community are encouraged to treat each other with respect.
• The last of our STAR rules is Respect.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

• We actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures.
• Religious Education lessons and PSHE lessons and assemblies 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.

At Langshott we will actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.

How British Values may translate into Lessons:

• English: Many books will have themes covering tolerance, mutual respect and democracy. Lessons look at how these themes are presented and how characters embody these values. Poetry, songs and languages from other cultures are also examined. Lessons may explore the meaning of concepts such as liberty, democracy and tolerance.
• PSHE / Citizenship: Pupils should be able to understand their personal rights and freedoms, and they are advised on how to exercise these safely. Pupils have the opportunity to learn about different models of democracy and take part in votes, pupil voice questionnaires and the student council. Topics such as equal rights, prejudice and online are taught.

• Religious education (RE): Lessons reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others. Children have the opportunity to visit places of worship that are important to different to faiths. We actively promote diversity through celebrations of different faiths and cultures.
• History and geography: Pupils analyse events in UK and world history where British values have been tested such as World War II. In geography, pupils look at how different cultures live and work throughout the world.
• In other lessons – we take turns, respect other’s opinions, show respect and tolerance.

Updated Summer 2022