British Values & Cultural Capital

British Values & Cultural Capital
at Black Horse Hill Junior School

Cultural Capital

Our school aims to develop the pupils’ cultural capital by helping them learn from a wide range of experiences, some of which can be seen by clicking below.

Democracy

How citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process.

How we reinforce it

  • Elections of School Council representatives, through a fair and democratic voting system. Those school councillors go on to represent their class friends and through democratic processes – influence the practices of the school through their own ideas.

  • Election of House Team Captains and Vice Captains. Year 6 children must stand up in front of the school and make a speech, demonstrating the way they will be a strong house team leader. A school wide – secret ballot allows children to vote and choose their House Team Captains and Vice Captains for the year.

  • Learning about democracy and the democratic system through a study of Ancient Greece and its influences on our own society.

  • Children and Parents have an annual questionnaire where they are able to put forward their views about the school and their learning in school.

  • Focussing on key British events in the year such as Remembrance Day and the selling of Poppies, Children in Need etc.

The Rule Of Law

An Appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens.

How we reinforce it

  • The importance of laws; whether they are those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Black Horse Hill. Pupils are taught from an early age the rules of the school.

  • Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.

  • Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message.

  • A clear Positive Behaviour Policy is visible throughout the school.

  • Through activities – such as Bike- ability cycle training , showing children that they must abide by rules and regulations when out and about outside of school.

Individual Liberty

An understanding that the freedom to hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law. An acceptance that other people having differing faiths and beliefs or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour.

How we reinforce it

  • Ensuring that all children regardless of colour, creed, religion and disability are treated with equal dignity and respect. This is done through ensuring that all children have equal access to the curriculum and to afterschool clubs and activities. We also continually check the school access plan and provision within the school governing body.

  • Our Anti Bullying policy addresses prejudicial and discriminatory behaviour.

  • Visit and assemblies, using the No Outsiders resources help the children learn about difference

  • Providing EAL children with additional language support.

  • Parent Workshops, to demonstrate how parents can help their children at home, by understanding the curriculum and how it is taught in school.

  • E-safety promoted within the school curriculum and careful use of technology in school, especially the school VLE.

  • Visits from Merseyside Police and Thumbs Up teach the children about being safe online.

Mutual Respect

An understanding in our children that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others.

How we reinforce it

  • Children encouraged to show respect, care and kindness to others through the core aims and values in our school statement.

  • Strong R.E, lessons, throughout school, which promote knowledge and understanding of different religions around the world.

  • Our Pupil of the Week awards promote the core values of our school.

  • ‘Golden Citizens’ in school are recognised and rewarded for outstanding contributions of understanding, friendship and kindness to other children and towards staff.

  • Raising money for charities is a strong focus of our House Teams, such as The Salvation Army. RNLI, Clatterbridge Cancer Research, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and The Oliver King Foundation

  • One-off events to raise awareness of and provide charitable donations to help others in need; such as Epilepsy Awareness Day, Sport Relief Day, Harvest Festival –raising donations for ‘Response’ a local charity for teenagers in need & The Christmas Shoebox appeal

  • Celebrating key events within the Christian Calendar, Christmas, Easter, as well as events from other cultures, such as Chinese New Year celebrations.

Tolerance Of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

An understanding of the problems of identifying and combating discrimination.

How we reinforce it

  • Black Horse Hill is a diverse school, with children of many faiths, nationalities and ethnic origins.

  • We actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures through our Religious Education lessons and PSHE lessons all of which reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others.

  • Assemblies encourage tolerance and understanding of others and promotes awareness of the 9 protected characteristics to the children.

  • Regular Assemblies and Visits from our local Church Community, St Michael’s and All Angels.