The DfE have 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 Oxhill Nursery School we believe that the Early Years Foundation Stage framework already provides a solid foundation to encourage a child’s understanding and acceptance that we live in diverse communities with many different cultures and lifestyles.
We listen to the children’s and the parent’s voice. Online ‘Parent View’ responses and feedback are acted upon. Children are given opportunities to make choices and decisions e.g. being involved in setting class rules to keep everyone safe and happy.
We consistently reinforce our high expectations of children. Children are taught the value and reasons behind our expectations (rules) that they are there to protect us, that everyone has a responsibility and that there are consequences when rules are broken.
Within school, children are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young children to make choices safely, through our provision of a safe enabling environment and effective teaching. Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms.
Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy is based on ‘Respect’. Our behaviour policy states that everyone has the right to:-
- feel safe and they have a responsibility to ensure the safety of others
- feel respected and a responsibility to show respect for others.
- be supported both in their learning and everyday life and a responsibility to assist and support others.
- be treated fairly and to treat others fairly.
- move freely and safely, subject to rules.
- have property kept safe and a responsibility to care for the property of others.
- Members of staff have a responsibility to be good role models to all pupils by demonstrating respectful behaviour.
- Children have a right to be taught in a respectful manner.
We aim to enhance children’s understanding of different faiths and beliefs by participating in a range of celebrations throughout the year. Children have the opportunity to dress-up in clothes and try different foods from other cultures. The broader a child’s experiences, the more confident and effective they are likely to be at contributing to Britain’s diverse society.
What is not acceptable:
- actively promoting intolerance of other faiths, cultures and races
- failure to challenge gender stereotypes and routinely segregating girls and boys
- isolating children from their wider community
- failure to challenge behaviours (whether of staff, children or parents) that are not in line with the fundamental British values of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs.
Prevent
Separately, the Counter Terrorism and Security Act also places a duty on early years providers “to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism” (the Prevent duty). Statutory guidance on the duty is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-guidance .
