Exploring the meaning of 'Britishness'​​

Exploring the meaning of 'Britishness' is gaining importance and schools are required to promote the fundamental British Values through their curriculum and other activities.

The Departm​ent for Education defines British Values as follows:

• Respect for democracy and support or participation in the democratic process
• Respect for the basis on which the law is made and applies in England
• Support for equality of opportunity for all
• Support and respect for the liberties of all within the law
• Respect for and tolerance of different faiths and religious and other beliefs

At Duffield Meadows, we actively promote these values in the following ways:

Democracy

• We have our own school parliament with elected 'MPs' and ministers
• Our annual election process is modelled on real-life elections
• All children are able to put themselves forward by writing and presenting a manifesto to their classmates
• A secret ballot is held, using actual voting booths borrowed from the local council
• All children are encouraged to debate topics of interest, express their views and make a meaningful contribution to the running of the school on matters that directly involve pupils
• Minutes of MP meetings are shared with the school governors
• Y6 classes make an annual visit to the Houses of Parliament and have regular contact with our local MP for mid-Derbyshire​

Rule of Law

• School rules and expectations are clear, fair and regularly promoted
• Pupils are helped to distinguish right from wrong
• Pupils are helped to respect the law
• Pupils are helped to understand that living under the rule of law protects individuals
• Visits from the local police and police community support officer are encouraged
• The Behaviour and Anti-Bullying policies encourage the restorative justice process to resolve conflict

Individual Liberty

• Pupils are supported to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence
• Pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their behavior, as well as knowing their rights
• Freedom of speech is modelled through encouraging pupil participation
• Vulnerable pupils are protected and stereotypes challenged
• A strong anti-bullying culture is well embedded in the school

Respect and Tolerance

• The school strongly promotes respect for individual differences
• Pupils are helped to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life Staff and pupils are encouraged to challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behavior
• Links and visits are promoted with local faith communities and places of worship
• Through the PSHE and Re curriculums pupils are encouraged to discuss and respect differences between people, such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, gender or sexuality and differences of family situations, such as looked after children or young carers

All of the above is embedded throughout the school and strongly promoted through our unique "Attitude Acorns" scheme

Duffield Meadows "Attitude Acorns"

The oak tree is our school emblem, and its fruit is the ACORN

In order to promote good attitudes within school, children can earn "acorn points" as part of the school's reward system.

Each half term, the whole school will focus on a particular positive attitude "acorn", which will be chosen from the examples listed below, as appropriate for the circumstances:

"More than just me" – developing empathy and respect, understanding the views and needs of others

"I can do it" – developing confidence, trying new skills

"Aim high" – developing ambition, not giving up

"Thinking for myself" – developing initiative, and an 'enquiring' state of mind

"Dare to be different" – developing inquisitive minds, being brave

"How well did I do?" – developing reflective thinking, identifying strengths and weaknesses
 

"Acorns" are awarded and gathered, alongside conventional team points, for displaying good attitudes within lessons and around school. Weekly awards are presented in assembly for the "squirrel of the week" from each class.

Remember  A-S-K

Attitudes – Skills – Knowledge

The key to being a successful learner