Class 1: British Values

How are the British Values taught or promoted in Class1?

Democracy - Everyday in Class 1 the children vote for the book that they would like to listen to before lunchtime. The children independently use our voting station during ‘play to learn’ time and we calculate the winner at the end of each morning. Also, we regularly give the children choices e.g how would they like to count the number of children each day, which special helper would they like to be revealed first, or even what end of term treat they would like to receive?

Rule of Law - In Class 1 we work very hard to follow our three school rules of being Ready, showing Respect and being Safe. Our teachers and children refer to these rules often and a wide variety of praise is given when these rules are followed. The children regularly receive verbal praise, stickers, praise pebbles and steps up our class ladder. Unfortunately, if our school rules are broken, then a consequence is given (time out and steps down our ladder). If we get to the top of the ladder to our pot of gold by the end of the half term, we receive our end of term treat.

Individual Liberty - During our reflective points of the day, whether it be during our ‘Circle Gallery’ in art, our carpet time during ‘Wellbeing Wednesday’ or even learning discussions during maths, the children are regularly given the opportunity to voice their opinions, ideas and discuss different methods they have chosen to use. 

Our children are given long periods of time throughout the day away from teacher led/guided tasks, where they can freely make choices about where and what they would like to play with and how they would like to develop their own learning. The children’s interests also inform our day to day planning and half termly topic themes.

Mutual respect - One of our three school rules that we refer to regularly, is Respect. The children work very hard to show this in all situations and environments. In our classroom we also have a ‘Tree of Kindness’ where a person’s name is added to a leaf when an act of kindness for another has been witnessed. Also, in our classroom setting and out in the forest we are given lots of opportunities to work in pairs, groups and as a team showing respect, kindness, care and considerations for others.

Tolerance- In Class 1 we are always very curious and really enjoy learning about people with different faiths and beliefs to our own. We celebrate Chinese New Year, Diwali, Shrove Tuesday, Remembrance Day, and other key events or religious festivals, through themed days across the year. Alongside this, we also regularly learn about a different faith during our weekly R.E sessions. We learn about how people from different faiths have many similarities as well as differences to us. 

Chinese New Year

Diwali

We regularly use discussion, games and stories to help us understand about how we are similar and different to our friends. We particularly love reading Todd Parr’s books!