British Values
Riverdale Primary School is committed to serving its community.
It recognises the multicultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. Riverdale also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within school are not subject to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them. It follows equal opportunities guidance, which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. Riverdale School is dedicated to preparing pupils for their adult life in modern Britain, beyond the formal examined curriculum serving the whole community and ensuring that it actively promotes and reinforces British values to all its pupils. The government emphasises that schools have a duty to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools.
The government sets out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.
The four British Values are:
- Democracy.
- The rule of law.
- Individual liberty.
- Mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.
The school uses strategies within the national curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for pupils. The examples that follow show some of the many ways Riverdale School actively promotes embedded British values.
Democracy
The principle of democracy is consistently reinforced at Riverdale School, with democratic processes being used for important decisions within the school community. For instance, elections being part of the process for electing School Council Representatives. Pupils have a voice that is listened to through the School Council. The principle of democracy is also explored in History and Religious Education.
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 Riverdale Primary School. Pupils are taught the rules and expectations of the school which are highlighted by the school code of conduct. Pupils are taught the value and the reasons behind the laws that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the police and other services within the school reinforce this message.
Individual liberty
At Riverdale Primary School, pupils are actively encouraged to make independent choices, in the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Staff at Riverdale educate and provide boundaries for 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 are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-safety and keeping safe sessions.
Mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
Respect is a strong part of Riverdale School. Pupils learn that their behaviour has an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect and this is reiterated through its teaching and learning environments.
Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum by providing the opportunity for pupils to express their views in a safe environment, with the school’s aim to ‘develop personal responsibility and respect’.
Tolerance is achieved through equipping pupils with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving the opportunities to experience such diversity within the school community. Our RE curriculum provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions and cultures. The syllabus helps pupils to have a broader understanding of the spiritual, moral and sociological issues and encourages them to think about their own spiritual development.
