At Springfield Junior School, we actively promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. As part of this, we challenge opinions or behaviours in school that are contrary to these values.

The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and at Springfield Junior School these values are reinforced regularly.
 
Democracy
Democracy is promoted throughout our school. Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern for 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.  Part of a school council representative’s role is to share ideas raised during meetings and engage their class in discussions.  Pupil voice is heard and responded to through regular interviews about work and school life, so that we can refine and improve our practices.  Our older children study the birth of democracy in their learning about Ancient Greece and about the different forms of rule and democracy (or lack thereof) across the world in a specific reading unit about politics.

The Rule of Law
The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, is consistently reinforced. Our school has ‘School Rules’ (Be Ready, Be Respectful, Be Safe), which are deeply embedded in our work every day. At the outset of the year, each class discusses right from wrong and sets class rules; these are clearly understood and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment. Our pupils are taught the values and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences to expect when laws are broken.
 
Individual Liberty
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 and an empowering education. 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 e-safety and PHSE lessons.  Whether it is through choice of challenge; of how they record; or participation in extra-curricular activities; our pupils are given the freedom to make choices and are encouraged to act responsibly, showing initiative.  At our school, we use the language of choice to help children make positive decisions.  “When…then” and “Now…Next” provide a framework for children who are finding it hard to make the right choice on which to hang their decision-making process for the best possible outcomes 

Children are taught that they are fortunate enough to live in a society where their individual liberty, including the freedom to hold beliefs or worship in a certain way is both valued and protected by law.  Older children are taught that this is not a freedom all children or adults around the world enjoy. 
 
Mutual Respect
At Springfield Junior School the children are at the heart of the decisions we make. Our school is full of learning, respect, and friendship; where our vision is that all children are prepared for life by becoming thoughtful, inclusive, respectful people/citizens who care about the world, their country and who develop strong personal values. Children are taught to be respectful across the curriculum and during each school day. Adults throughout the school model, demonstrate and promote respect for others as do older children who have suitable, age related, tasks and responsibilities. Respect for others is constantly reinforced.

Tolerance of those with Different Faiths and Beliefs
To fulfil our vision at Springfield, we value children as individuals, each with unique range of talents, interests, and needs. In encouraging our pupils to be respectful citizens, we also cultivate tolerance of those who have different faiths and beliefs. Springfield Junior enhances pupils’ understanding of different faiths and beliefs through religious education; PHSE; our responsive curriculum and also through collective worship. Beliefs, traditions and customs from around the world are studied, with visitors being invited into our school to enrich and extend our learning. Through these activities our pupils gain an enhanced understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and an understanding of the importance of identifying and combatting discrimination.

Ipswich, and Britain as a whole, are diverse societies.  Therefore, it is vital that we celebrate that diversity to promote tolerance, empathy and harmony, avoiding radicalisation and extremism.  We actively call out intolerance of all kinds and encourage children to do the same.  Our library features a wealth of material about other cultures, both ancient and modern; and we carefully select books for guided reading sessions so that issues surrounding acceptance and inclusion are explored.  We extend this British Value to tolerance, acceptance and inclusion of those with different sexual or gender orientations, of those who are neuro-diverse or have a disability and to the equal treatment of men and women.