Promoting British Values at Barrowford St Thomas 

At Barrowford St Thomas CE Primary School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways.

Democracy

Democracy is embedded at the school.  Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. Pupils also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas through our School Council and regular questionnaires.  The elections of the School Council  are based solely on pupil votes, reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action.

To learn about the work of our school council (click here to access)

We appoint a headboy, headgirl and prefects in Year 6. The children produce manifestos which are presented to their class as part of the election process. All children then take part in a ballot, voting for the candidate who they think is most worthy of becoming Head Boy and Head Girl and prefects. This is used as an opportunity to promote and teach about democracy and the electoral process. Children are presented with badges in celebration worship. In 2023, these badges will be presented by our local MP, the Right Honourable Andrew Stephenson.

In addition

• The beginnings of democracy are taught through historical research of the Ancient Greece civilisation.
• Democracy is promoted through PSHE lessons, collective worship and in real life contexts where necessary. 
• Our children are taught how to be good citizens and what this looks like. This is then echoed throughout the year during worships and PSHE lessons
• We encourage volunteerism and activism both in and out of school e.g. litter picking in the local community through the Archbishop of York, Young Leaders' Award. Each class selects a charity to support each year.
• We celebrate UK Parliament Week.
• Additional democratic opportunities are encouraged and children are provided with opportunities to take part in votes e.g. voting for new playtime equipment, voting for a charity 

The importance of laws whether they are those that govern the school or the country, are consistently reinforced. 

Our school has rules (click here to access) which are deeply embedded in our work every day. 

Each class discusses and displays the school and class rules which are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every pupil is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment.  Our pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Links are made with the curriculum. For example, in Year 3 and 4 RE, comparisons are made between the laws of Moses and our current rule of law. 

Details about school rewards and sanctions, choice and consequences are detailed in our behaviour policy (click here to access).

In addition: 

• Through collective worship and PSHE programme children are taught how to earn trust and respect and are supported to develop a strong sense of morality; knowing right from wrong and doing the right thing even when it’s difficult.
• A wide range of visitors are invited into school to talk to the children and explain about their role in society. These include, but are not limited to, local community police officers. 
• Children learn about the rule of law through special activities e.g. Bikeability.

Individual Liberty

Our individuality and our freedom to be so, is a major part of our PRIDE in all we do (Perseverance, Respect, Individuality, Determination leading to Excellence).  

Within school, pupils 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 our pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment, an empowering education and a curriculum based upon clear Christian virtues. Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely; examples of this can be clearly seen in our online safety and our Relationship and Health education lessons (for example, we followed the Kidsafe UK Programme).  Whether it is through choice of challenge; of how they record; of participation in our extra- curricular activities; our pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Further details about our Relationship and Health curriculum (click here to access)

Further detail about our computing curriculum and online safety (click here to access) 

Further detail about our extra-curricular activities (click here to access)

In addition

• Individual liberty is taught through collective worship and religious education, especially those focused on protected characteristics, equality and diversity, global issues and significant figures throughout history e.g. Martin Luther King

Mutual Respect:

Respect is key to our school rules and a major part of our PRIDE in all we do (Perseverance, Respect, Individuality, Determination leading to Excellence)  Our pupils were fully involved in the creation of our revised ‘mission statement’ and it is deeply embedded in all that we do at the school.  The pupils know and understand that it is expected and imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have and to everything, however big or small.  The core value of respect at Barrowford St Thomas CE Primary underpins our work every day both in and out of the classroom.

To view our mission statement, rules and values (click here to access) 

Through our Christian virtues and PSHE programme children are taught to respect each other, to be co-operative and collaborative, be supportive and to look for similarities and to celebrate and embrace differences.

Mutual respect is promoted through collective worship.  A range of specific worships are delivered focusing on helping other pupils to understand protected characteristics and charities.

Staff role model mutual respect for the children.

Tolerance of Those With Different Faiths And Beliefs

Our core value of respect ensures tolerance of those who have different faiths and beliefs.  Barrowford St Thomas CE Primary enhances pupils' understanding of different faiths and beliefs through religious education studies following the Blackburn Diocese scheme; Relationship and Health education, visits to places of worship, welcoming visitors of other faiths, respecting the different faiths and beliefs of our own members of staff and enjoying in-depth of study during themed weeks.   Through this our pupils gain an enhanced understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society.  

Further detail about our RE syllabus and our RE lessons (click here to access)

We have a link to Whitefield Infant School, whose school population is mainly Muslim through Building Bridges. Our Year 2 children visit each other's schools and places of worship. The aim of Building Bridges is to improve community relations and community cohesion by raising awareness and understanding amongst people about different cultures; promoting common values; and helping people to develop friendships that cross cultural and community boundaries.