In November 2014, The Department for Education published guidance on promoting British values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. These values were first set out by the government in the ‘Prevent’ strategy in 2011.
Promoting Fundamental British Values
In accordance with The Department for Education we aim to actively promote British values in pre-school to ensure our children leave Pre-school prepared for life in modern Britain. Children 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.
At West Hallam Village Pre-School, these values are inherent in all aspects of our well planned, enriched curriculum where children are continually supported in their Moral, Social, Cultural and Spiritual development. Outlined below is an overview of how we try to give all of our children the opportunity to develop the skills and attitudes needed for them to take on a positive and fulfilling role as a citizen living in Britain today.
The Key Values are:
We aim to promote this British value by demonstrating how democracy works by discussion, decision making and voting for example:
- We encourage children to know their views count and their opinions are important for example following the children’s interests for topics and activities.
- We encourage children to make decisions together for example when sharing a group toy, like a large train set.
- We provide opportunities for the children to vote between choices of activity for example choosing a book for story time or a song at singing time.
We aim to promote British values by demonstrating a need for rules and laws help to keep us safe and happy for example:
- We encourage adults and children to work together to create group rules. Discussing the need for rules to keep everyone safe and happy.
- We teach children to understand their own and others behaviour and feelings and the consequences.
- We encourage and support children to learn how to distinguish right from wrong.
We aim to promote this British value by individual freedoms to choose faiths, beliefs and likes/dislike for example:
- We provide opportunities for children to develop their self-esteem and confidence in their own abilities for example sharing achievements and successes and promoting independence.
- We encourage children to try a range of different activities and opportunities and to discuss and select their own preferences.
- We encourage children to develop a positive sense of themselves.
We aim to promote this British value by demonstrating respect and tolerance towards other beliefs and faiths for example:
- We work as a group to create an environment that includes, values and promotes different faiths, cultures, views and races.
- We provide opportunities for the children to make links with the wider community for example we invite family members, local church community and local businesses to visit our pre-school.
- We encourage children to learn about other faiths, cultures, traditions, families, communities and ways of life. We encourage the children the children to share their experiences with the group and allow the children to recognise similarities and differences between themselves and others. For example, learning about festivals and special days, different types of family units, different occupations and places around the world.