At Abbots Farm Infant School, we recognise that the personal development of children plays a significant role in their ability to learn, achieve and be happy individuals. We therefore aim to provide an education that provides children with opportunities to explore and develop:

• Their own values and beliefs;
• Their own spiritual awareness;
• Their own high standards of personal behaviour;
• Their critical thinking skills
• A positive, caring and respectful attitude towards other people;
• An understanding of their social and cultural traditions;
• An appreciation of the diversity and richness of their cultures.

The DfE have recently reinforced 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 Abbots Farm Infant School we recognise the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. We are committed to ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them. The school accepts admissions from all those entitled to an education under British law, including children of all faiths or none. It follows the policies outlined by its governing body regarding equal opportunities, which guarantee that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar.

The Government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools. The government set out its definition of British values in the ‘Prevent Strategy’ – values of:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect
• Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

 Democracy

We have an active School Council at Abbots Farm Infant School. Topics for discussion are identified with the School Council, and then all children have an opportunity to contribute to their class’s ideas. The school council meet regularly with the Headteacher and Deputy Head to feedback class discussions on a range of areas. They also design, carry out and analyse our pupil survey. They share their findings with the school community including what they will be implementing in the future as a result of their survey.

We have an E-safety committee and Sports Ambassadors who are voted in by their class.

All classes have responsibility roles, such as fruit monitors. Children are encouraged to take turns volunteering to take on these roles and their responsibilities are highly respected and valued in school.

The Rule of Law

At Abbots Farm Infant School we have high expectations of pupil conduct and behaviour which is reflected in our Behaviour and Relationships Policy. The importance of laws, whether they be those linked to the class, the school, or the country, are addressed at Abbots Farm Infant School through our school assemblies and PSHE curriculum. Children are taught about respect and trust; they are supported to develop a strong sense of morality; knowing right from wrong and doing the right thing even when it is difficult.

At the beginning of each academic year each class works with its teacher to agree how our school rules of being safe, being responsible and being good communicators will be implemented in their classrooms.

Children are taught the value and reasons behind rules and rewards and consequences are explained to them. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message.

E-safety is embedded in our curriculum and informs the children of their right to safety and privacy and how to obtain help if they believe they are in danger.

Individual Liberty

At Abbots Farm Infant School, children are encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment.

We support children to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence. Children are taught, through the PSHE curriculum as well as assemblies, about personal responsibility, choices, ambition and aspiration. They are taught how to keep themselves safe, including on-line. We encourage independence as far as possible and independence is another of our school values.  We also implement a clear anti-bullying culture and use protective behaviours work.

The children have opportunities to explore their identity and share their thoughts and feelings. All staff encourage children to access support and to freely talk about their feelings and any problems facing them.

Mutual Respect

Through our school’s values, our curriculum and assemblies children are taught to respect each other, to be cooperative and collaborative, to be supportive to one another and to look for similarities and but also value and respect differences between each other. Our school curriculum explores ideas, stories and celebrations from a range of cultures and backgrounds. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community are expected to treat each other with respect.

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.

At Abbots Farm Infant School we teach the children to value and celebrate diversity rather than merely tolerate it. This is reflected in our RE, PSHE and Inclusion and Equality policies. An understanding of different faiths and beliefs is promoted through our Religious Education curriculum and children learn about different religions, their beliefs, places of worship and festivals. In addition in whole school assemblies significant religious and cultural festivals such as Ramadan, Eid, Diwali and Chinese New Year are celebrated and learnt about throughout the year. Children are able to visit places of worship that are important to the faiths represented in our school as part of the curriculum.