Redwood Primary School is a culturally diverse school situated on the outskirts of Derby City.

At Redwood we recognise that 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.”

The Government set out its definition of British Values in the 2011 prevent strategy, and these values were reiterated in 2014.  At Redwood these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways.  We keep an up to date audit of all such teaching and learning opportunities.

DEMOCRACY

At the beginning of each year, children at Redwood decide upon their class rules and the rights and responsibilities expected with these. All children contribute to the drawing up of these class rules.  The children also affirm the school’s expectations and every child and member of staff take responsibility for instilling these values into the school community.  Through our SHINE values, the children and staff actively engage with each other to create harmonious learning environments and everyone is responsible for this.

At Redwood, children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard.  We have a school council that meets regularly (monthly). The council is elected by peers and children in years 2 to 6 have an opportunity to prepare reasons as to why they should be elected to be on the school council. Class council meetings feed into the school council meetings. Minutes from school council meetings are reported back to class council meetings.

Children complete an annual questionnaire and they are able to put forward their views about the school. Achievement leaders question children concerning certain aspects of the curriculum, for example; girls and their views regarding mathematics.

THE RULE OF LAW

At Redwood, the importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout the school day, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. 

Pupils are taught from an early age the rules of school through our SHINE values.  They are taught the reasons and values behind laws and rules, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves, and the consequences when laws are broken.  Through our whole school approach, we enable children to develop the language and strategies to solve conflict and to right wrongs.  Visits from authorities, such as the Police (children in Year 6) and the Fire Service (children in years 2 and 6) reinforce this.

INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY

At Redwood, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supporting environment. As a school, we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make informed choices, through a safe environment and empowering education.  Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms. They are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our PSHE and e-Safety lessons. 

Whether it is through choice of learning challenge, of how they record, of participation in our extra-curricular clubs and opportunities’, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

MUTUAL RESPECT

Respect and responsibility are key aspects that are at the heart of school life at Redwood.  Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others.  The close, positive relationships at Redwood are valued and we see this as being a key to enabling all children to access their learning. Assemblies regularly cover the theme of ‘respect’ and pupils have been part of discussions related to what this means and how we show it.  All members of the school community treat each other with respect.  Our ‘Golden Book’ assemblies celebrate children’s achievements throughout school. 

TOLERANCE OF THOSE OF DIFFERENT FAITHS AND BELIEFS

Redwood is at the heart of a culturally diverse area of Derby City and we celebrate this.  Assemblies celebrate different festivals such as Harvest, Eid, Diwali, Hanukkah and Christmas.  RE lessons focus upon all religions and children are encouraged to understand the beliefs and values of different faiths.  We also take into account the views of non-believers and children understand that this aspect of faith is as important. Children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths.

Our rich cultural and social diversity is used to nurture children and gain positive experiences from their fellow peers. 

At Redwood, we will actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.