Purpose: 

The DfE have outlined 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.” 

At Green Oaks Primary Academy, we endeavour to ensure that all children are fully prepared for ‘Life beyond Green Oaks Primary Academy’ and life in modern Britain. In actively promoting these values, we challenge those opinions or behaviours that are contrary to fundamental British values.  We aim to reinforce the government’s values regularly, in the following ways: 

Democracy: 

We ensure that the children of Green Oaks Primary Academy have a voice and that their voice is heard and listened to. We actively encourage children to show independence, speak up and provide the opportunity for them to share their views through pupil voices, questionnaires and classroom’ worry boxes’. Our School's communications team (School Council) meet regularly to discuss aspects of well-being, including behaviour, transition and friendships in school. Our School's communications team do an excellent job of bringing issues to discuss and feedback from their peers to regular council meetings, which are led by our Principal.  We develop an environment in which children feel safe to express themselves and know that their opinion is valued.  

We also seek our parent’s opinions and always aim to open dialogue between home and school. Through meetings, assemblies, coffee mornings and questionnaires, parents are given plenty of opportunity to share their views and opinions.

Children are given the opportunity to vote in various scenarios across school life and understand that this is to ensure every voice is heard and promotes fairness. Most recently, the children voted for the school's new values.

The Rule of Law: 

Children are introduced to the importance of laws through school rules, whether they be rules that must be followed in class, around school, or at playtimes. From starting Green Oaks Primary Academy in Nursery, children are taught right from wrong. Children learn the importance of rules/ laws and why they must be followed. Children at Green Oaks Primary Academy are given a vast amount of support to ensure that they make the right choices around their behaviour, and suitable interventions are provided to ensure children who find this more challenging have the right support to do so. Through all staff adhering to our clear behaviour policy, children understand that poor behaviour will have consequences that are always fair and consistently applied.  

Throughout our well sequenced history curriculum, children are also taught about the crimes and punishment of the past. In addition, woven through our PSHE programme (Jigsaw), children are explicitly taught about the importance of rules and consequences. 

Individual Liberty: 

We ensure that we educate and provide boundaries for children to make choices, learn, grow, make mistakes, take responsibility for their behaviour and to do so safely in a well-supported environment. Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to do this safely, for example, through our E-Safety lessons and PSHE lessons. Children are explicitly and implicitly taught to challenge stereotypes and develop a strong anti-bullying culture in school. Whether it be through choice of learning challenges, of how they record their work, of participation in our extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect: 

Respect is one of our school values. This is modelled, taught and expected every day. Respect is discussed regularly with the children during assemblies, PSHE lessons and encouraged through all aspects of the school day - from listening to the views of others in class, using our manners, to holding the doors open for others in the corridors. As a school, we ensure that all children respect one another and can value everyone as individuals. 

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs: 

At Green Oaks Primary Academy, we understand our role in preparing children to take their place in a culturally diverse society. We are lucky that our children experience a wide range of cultures and beliefs through the diverse make-up of our school. We ensure that assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying are delivered and that the key messages are then re-enforced through the RE and PSHE curriculum. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and during assemblies. 

British Values across the curriculum:

The fundamental British Values have been carefully mapped out across the curriculum to demonstrate the effective coverage of these vital aspects.