Promoting Fundamental British Values at Darwen St James CEP Academy-

In accordance with The Department for Education, we aim to actively promote British values in our school to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. Pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law.

The Key British Values are:

  • democracy

  • rule of law

  • individual liberty

  • mutual respect

  • tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

We have started this year, the thumb and finger model to help the children remember the British Values.

Thumb- Democracy - Thumb up or down

Index Finger - Rule of Law - Pointing

Middle Finger - Cultures and Religions - Tallest finger pointing to God.

Ring Finger - Mutual Respect - Wedding finger - Respecting other people

Little Finger - Individual Liberty - sticking out on its own

 

We actively promote British values through-

Focusing on and showing how the school's work is effective in securing these values along side our Christian Values.

Challenging pupils, staff, visitors or parents who express opinions contrary to British values.

Democracy – what do we do?

  • Class voting for the election of academy councillors at the start of the year;

  • Class voting for Worship Team members for their class;

  • Pupil voice includes - School council, Worship Team and Digital Leaders;

  • Provide pupils with a broad general knowledge of, and promote respect for, public institutions and services;

  • Teach pupils how they can influence decision-making through the democratic process;

  • Taught through assemblies and our school curriculum;

  • Encourage pupils to become involved in decision-making processes and ensure they are listened to in school;

  • Help pupils to express their views;

  • Model how perceived injustice can be peacefully challenged;

  • UK Parliament Day.

Rule of law – what do we do?

  • Ensure school rules and expectations are clear and fair;

  • Class rules and celebration of adhering to these rules;

  • Help pupils to distinguish right from wrong;

  • Help pupils to respect the law and the basis on which it is made;

  • Help pupils to understand that living under the rule of law protects individuals;

  • Explore within our PSHCE Lessons laws and what to do if peer pressure is trying to persuade children to break these;

  • Good relationships with local police and PCSOs - regular visits into school.

Individual liberty – what do we do?

  • Support pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem, self-confidence;

  • Encourage pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour, as well as knowing their rights;

  • Model freedom of speech through pupil participation, while ensuring protection of vulnerable pupils and promoting critical analysis of evidence;

  • Challenge stereotypes;

  • Implement a strong anti-bullying culture;

  • E-Safety units of work are taught throughout school, staff receive training on these and Parents receive regular information through National online safety.

Mutual Respect and tolerance of different cultures and religions– what do we do?

  • Teach through Worship and curriculum, to break down stereotypes;

  • Promote our uniqueness and celebrate our differences;

  • Use Picture News assemblies to explore critical news events (e.g. terrorist attacks, Black Lives Matter etc);

  • Explore positive role models (where possible) through our units,  who reflect the protected characteristics of the 2010 Equality Act;

  • Challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour;

  • Organise visits to places of worship (one annually);

  • All year groups take part in an annual Diwali dance day;

  • All year groups take part in Christmas celebrations;

  • All religious festivals are marked and celebrated throughout the year;

  • Our RE scheme ensures that our children have a good understanding of a range of religious beliefs and customs;

  • Help pupils to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life;

  • Our book collections are becoming more diverse, as part of our travelling library we have many books that celebrate inspirational people from many cultures and backgrounds.

WC:4.11.2024

Story: A 23-year-old British climber, Adriana Brownlee, has become the youngest woman to summit the world's fourteen highest mountains.
Question: How can our hopes and dreams help us succeed?

WC:28.10.2024

Story: People in the USA will head to the polls on Tuesday 5th November to elect the next US president, with the world closely watching the vote.
Question: What are the qualities that make a good leader?

WC: 14.10.2024

Story: UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer has faced questioning and criticism recently for accepting free gifts.
Question: Why do people give gifts?

WC:7.10.2024

Story: E-commerce company, Amazon, has told all staff they need to return to the office five days a week, ending the option to work from home.
Question: How important are human interactions?

WC:30.09.2024

Story: Book publishing company, Penguin Random House UK, has revealed a new book-vending machine, which aims to make works by writers of colour more visible in schools.
Question: How important is it to know about the author behind the book?

WC:23.09.2024

Story: The UK's first teacherless classroom, using AI (artificial intelligence) instead of human teachers has opened.
Question: Will classrooms of the future be teacherless?

WC:16.09.2024

Story: The Wildlife Photographer of the Year shortlist has recently been announced, with just 100 photos left in the competition.
Question: How can photos shape the world?

WC:09.09.2024

Story: Space agency, Nasa, says the two astronauts, Sunita Williams and Barry 'Butch' Wilmore, stuck on the International Space Station won't return to Earth until next year. 
Question: How can we respond to unexpected events?

WC:02.09.2024

Story: Over the summer, riots took place in England and Northern Ireland that caused a great deal of damage to cars and buildings. Communities in many towns organised clean-up efforts that united people from all faiths and races.
Question: How can communities help each other in times of difficulty?

gallery-slideshow:Picture News 2.9.2024}

WC:15.07.2024

Story: Research company, YouGov, has surveyed young people about which jobs they'd like to have in the future, alongside Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Question: Are all jobs equal?

WC:08.07.2024

Story: Supermarket chain Asda has launched fan zones, called Nanzones, for elderly people to enjoy the UEFA EURO 2024 football tournament.
Question: What is loneliness?

WC:01.07.2024

Story:This summer, the 2024 Olympics, held in Paris, will run from 26th July to 11th August, and the Paralympics will take place from 28th August to 8th September.
Question: What does it take to be an Olympian or Paralympian?

WC:24.06.2024

Story: Inspired by singer, Taylor Swift, who is in the midst of her world tour, one superfan, Devon, has made hundreds of friendship bracelets to donate to people in care homes.
Question: What makes a good friend?

WC:17.06.2024

Story: The UK government has launched a new website, designed to help people plan for potential hazards and equip themselves to respond effectively.
Question: Should we always be prepared for an emergency?

WC:10.06.2024

Story: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced that a UK general election is to take place on 4th July.
Question: Is voting the best way to change things for the better?

WC:20.05.2024

Story: An all-girls football team has won a league dominated by boys’ teams, after going unbeaten for an entire season.
Question: Is it fair to judge others based on first impressions?

WC:13.05.2024

Story: Cambridge University has returned four spears to the descendants of an indigenous community in Australia, who crafted them.
Question: What is your identity?

WC:06.05.2024

Story: A new study published in an archaeological journal, using evidence found in Italy, has found that Neanderthals organised their living areas and tools in a similar way to modern humans.
Question: Can the past help us learn about modern life?

Picture news 6.05.2024

WC:29.04.2024

Story: Stef Reid, a former Paralympian medal-winner, is requesting Nike and other sportswear companies to start selling individual trainers to single-leg amputees.
Question: How can shops make sure everyone feels represented?

WC: 22.04.2024

Story: Scottish runner, Jasmin Paris, has become the first female runner and one of only twenty to complete what is thought to be the world's toughest race; the Barkley Marathons in Tennessee, USA.
Question: Can you learn to persevere?

WC:15.04.2024

Story:A new artwork, from the mysterious street artist Banksy, appeared in North London overnight in March and has since been covered with plastic and surrounded by wooden boards to protect it.
Question: What does art mean to you?

WC:08.04.2024

Story:The Royal Family’s right to privacy has made news headlines worldwide over the past few weeks.
Question: Should everyone be allowed to lead a private life?

WC:19.02.2024

Story:Coca‑Cola has announced it will temporarily be removing labels from Sprite and Sprite Zero bottles to trial ‘label-less’ packaging in some areas of the UK.

Question: How important is packaging?

WC:05.02.2024

Story:45-year-old Mar Galcerán from Spain has become the country’s first elected parliamentarian with Down's syndrome.

Question:What makes someone inspirational?

WC: 29.01.2024

Story:New BBC television programme, Style It Out, focuses on sustainable fashion and will give promising designers the chance to showcase at London Fashion Week.

Question: Is fashion important?

WC:22.01.2024

Story:Motorists in Britain will be completing journeys using driverless cars by 2026 the transport secretary, Mark Harper, has predicted.

Question:Will self-driving vehicles change our lives?

WC: 15.01.2024

Story:A study from the University of Valencia in Spain, found that print reading could boost skills by six to eight times more than digital reading on a screen.

Question:Is an e-reader better than a book?

WC:08.01.2024

Story: Teddy Cottle from Oxfordshire has launched a petition calling for Apple to change the glasses emoji, also known as the ‘nerd’ emoji, as he says it gives the wrong impression of glasses-wearers.

Question:Have ‘emojis’ become an important part of communication?

WC: 4.12.2023

Story:The Fagradalsfjall volcano is thought to be the cause of a series of recent earthquakes and Iceland has declared a state of emergency as inhabitants from the nearby town of Grindavik are evacuated.
Question: What is it like to live through an uncertain time?

WC: 27.11.2023

Story:Scientists have found more flowering plants, moss, and algae in Antarctica in the last 10 years than usually grow in 50 years, and the extent of floating sea ice there has hit record lows.

Question: Who is responsible for Antarctica?

WC:20.11.2023

Story:Community centres, libraries, businesses, and churches across the UK have been set up as free warm spaces to help provide warmth and companionship during the winter months.

Question:How can we show compassion to others?

WC:6.11.2023

Story:  A study, conducted by the government and backed by the Money and Pensions Service, has estimated that around 5.4 million children in the UK do not have the money skills they will need in adulthood.

Question:How important is it to understand money?

WC: 30.10.2023

Story:Kenyan long-distance runner, Kelvin Kiptum, has crossed the line in a new world record time of 2:00:35 at this year’s Chicago Marathon, wearing Nike Alphafly 3 ‘super shoes’.

Question:Should ‘super shoes’ be allowed in races?

WC:16.10.2023

Story: The tree at the centre of the world-famous 'Sycamore Gap' on Hadrian's Wall, England, has reportedly been ‘deliberately felled’ on the night of 28th September.

Question:How can we remember things that were important to us?

WC:09.10.2023

Story:October is Black History Month in the UK. This year’s theme is ‘Saluting our Sisters’, highlighting the role Black women have played in shaping history, inspiring change, and building communities in the UK

Question:How does change happen?

WC: 02.10.2023

Story:The 2024 edition of the Guinness World Records, featuring more than 80% new and updated records and with a total of 2,638 records, has been released.

Question:Can anyone break a world record?

WC: 25.09.2023

Story:In recent weeks, both India and Russia's space agencies have ​tried to send unmanned missions to the Moon. They were ​heading to the lunar South Pole, which is a less explored ​part of the Moon. 

Question:How important is space exploration?

WC: 18.09.2023

Story:More than 100 schools across the UK have been affected by a potentially dangerous concrete (RAAC) used in their construction between the 1950s and the mid-90s. It’s not just schools affected; more than 30 hospitals are also believed to be at risk, according to experts.

Question:Is a school more than just a building?

WC: 11.09.2023

Story:In Canada, the government in the province of Ontario is set to pass a new law that would make it compulsory for children aged 12 and under to wear lifejackets on boats.

Question: Should lifejackets be compulsory for all on open water?