British Values at George Tomlinson
At George Tomlinson Primary School we are committed to serving our local, national and international community. We understand the vital role we have as a school in ensuring that groups or individuals are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them. At George Tomlinson, we recognise that our role is most successful when those values and attitudes are promoted by all the staff who provide a model of behaviour for our pupils.
Our school fosters a strong sense of belonging both to the school community and as a citizen of Britain with the responsibilities that citizenship brings. The school has policies in place regarding Equalities, which guarantee that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or political or financial status. It seeks to serve all so that everyone feels a sense of belonging.
We incorporate British Values across our school and promote these values across the curriculum, including in RHE, Destination Reader, RE, Circle Time and assemblies. British Values are embedded in the rich ethos of our school.
Democracy:
At George Tomlinson Primary School we ensure that pupils are given a ‘voice’ to communicate. The method of using this ‘voice’ could be using words, objects, photographs, pictures, symbols, touch cues, eye pointing or body language. Our curriculum incorporates Destination Reader which gives children language stems to use to help them articulate effectively.
We empower our pupils by giving them opportunities to make choices about the things that they believe to be important. By valuing each ‘voice’ and by listening and responding to that voice we demonstrate that we support democracy. Children in Years 1-6 take part on our school council.
Rule of Law:
We involve pupils in setting codes of behaviour in their Class Charters; helping pupils to make decisions and choices that are acceptable to the school community and society at large.
Pupils are helped to learn to manage their behaviour and take responsibility for their actions. Staff are committed to providing a consistent and safe environment within the school and beyond. This type of environment enables pupils to feel safe and secure; this in turn, promotes the optimum conditions for learning to take place.
Individual Liberty:
Pupils at George Tomlinson are encouraged to become good and valued citizens. We do this by supporting each pupil to become as independent as possible. We endeavour to demonstrate that everyone has rights; this includes the right to say ‘No’ to ideas or activities that they do not want to take part in. Pupils take up various roles of responsibility around the school such as Reading and Sports Ambassadors, Eco Warriors and Librarians. These roles empower them to encourage others to make the right choices and help some pupils to understand the connection between actions and consequences.
Learning to do things independently is an important part of learning to understand yourself. We support others by participating in charitable events such as raising money for Save the Children, DEC appeals and local food bank charities. At George Tomlinson Primary School we believe that by creating a caring and helpful environment and by learning to be independent can boost and nurture a healthy self-esteem.
Mutual Respect:
We promote each pupil’s inclusion, where possible, in a range of activities and settings.
Events and opportunities are planned for pupils to go into the community to meet with a range of people in a variety of situations which include: sports events, community events and shared participation with other schools.
We celebrate Black History Month in October with a range of activities, assemblies and lessons. We also hold an annual International Day where children wear national dress, families cook their national food and we share music, dance and drama together as a community.
Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs:
George Tomlinson Primary School serves a multi-faith community where each person is respected and valued equally without regard to ability, gender, faith, heritage or race.
Cultural appreciation and development forms part of our curriculum. We place great emphasis on providing encounters and participation in events and celebrations to broaden all pupils’ experiences and awareness of others.
Our assemblies help all pupils to find out about themselves and others linking their lives to the communities in which they belong. The themes cover areas such as: friendships, helping others and celebrations from a range of faiths and world events.
As a school, we take part in local sporting activities which helps to build ‘fair play’ and create a ‘team spirit’.
Although some pupils at George Tomlinson may find it difficult to articulate their feelings and concerns, staff are attuned to changes in behaviour and well-being that may indicate anxiety.
We take children on school trips to local places of worship. Being in London we are able to exploit opportunities to visit museums and places of interest in the capital.
The staff work closely with parents, carers and other professionals to ensure that the pupils are happy, well cared for and enabled to learn the skills they need to live a fulfilling life as part of their community.