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PSHCE and British Values

At Brook Infant School and Nursery, we aim to make PSHCE at the very core of all we do and learn.

We believe that an excellent PSHCE curriculum will help to give pupils the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy independent lives and to become informed, active, responsible and positive members of a diverse multicultural society. We are preparing our children for an ever-changing future. It is therefore essential that we equip our children with all the skills, understanding and values that they will need.

Our curriculum for PSHCE is embedded into all that we do and develops children understanding, values and skills from Nursery through to Year Two.   Our curriculum is part of all that the children do, as opposed to a stand-alone curriculum. It is vital that the children develop and grow with a strong sense of who they are, their values and responsibilities and a realisation that these skills are part of everything they do and learn. This includes our British Values.

We are a Rights Respecting School (RRS).  RRS has become an integral part of the schools ethos with all staff and children working towards a shared vision. RRS and PSHCE work alongside each other and much of the planning, teaching and learning involves both RRS and PSHCE.

British Values    

In 2011, the Government defined British Values as:

  • Democracy.
  • The rule of law.
  • Individual liberty.
  • Mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.

We promote these values through our own school values, curriculum and enrichment activities. We want our children to become responsible, active citizens who participate in democracy and public life. We wish for them to respect diversity and display a commitment to working towards greater community cohesion. PSHCE is at the heart of our school, emphasises the difference between right and wrong, and highlights the need for respecting, and tolerating differences in a diverse and modern Britain.

We have a curriculum that will enable children to make progress towards these aims.

Value

Examples of how these are developed in the school and community

Democracy  

Link to UN CRC Article 12: Children have the right to say what they think should happen, when adults are making decisions that affect them, and to have their opinion taken into account.
  • We have an elected school council. This provides opportunities to learn about democracy and the electoral process.
  • We encourage volunteers. This includes things such as lunch helpers, playground angels, Eco-Council.
  • Democracy is also promoted through various PSHCE lessons and Assemblies.
  • Children are taught about the UN Rights of the child and learn to respect their rights and the rights of other.

The Rule of Law  

Link to UN CRC Article 19: Governments should ensure that children are properly cared for, and protect them from violence, abuse and neglect by their parents, or anyone else who looks after them.
  • We have high expectations about pupil conduct and this is reflected in our behaviour and relationships policy. There are rewards for exhibiting good behaviour and demonstration of our ‘Sparkly rights’ is recognised through our ‘Sparkly Fish award’.
  • Through Assemblies, PSHCE and circle time children are taught about right and wrong.
  • We have visitors from the Police and Fire Services.
  • Classroom rules are devised at the beginning of the year. Children discuss and contribute ideas to these.
  • Individual behaviour plans.

Individual Liberty  

Link to UN CRC Article 31: All children have the right to relax and play, and to join in a wide range of activities.   Article 15: Children have the right to meet together and to join groups and organisations, as long as this does not stop other people from enjoying their rights.
  • Through our school values and PSHCE children are taught about personal responsibility, choices, ambition and aspiration.
  • They are encouraged to take opportunities that encourage their interests, sports clubs, art, music etc.
  • Children are taught to keep themselves safe, including online.
  • Children are taught to consider the consequences of their words and actions.

Mutual respect and Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs  

UN CRC Article 2: The Convention applies to everyone whatever their race, religion, ability, whatever they think or say or whatever type of family they come from.   Article 30: Children have the right to lean and use language and costumes of their families, whether these are shared by the majority of people in the country or not.   Article 14: Children have the right to think and believe what they want, and to practise their religion, as long as they are not stopping other people from enjoying their rights.
  • We have high expectations about pupil conduct and this is reflected in our behaviour and relationships policy.
  • Through circle time, assemblies and PSHCE children are taught to respect each other, to be cooperative and collaborative, be supportive and to look for similarities, whilst being understanding of differences.
  • Tolerance of different faiths is promoted through RE and PSHCE. Children learn about different religions, places of worship and festivals.
  • Other languages are promoted and celebrated.
  • Children work in curriculum areas in different groupings.
  • Diversity within school staff.
  • Participation in community based activities.