Our British Values

At Seaburn Dene Primary School, we actively promote British Values, as defined under the Ofsted guidance 2014, through our school vision, ethos, agreed rules, curriculum and teaching, including daily challenge:
The government define these values as:

• Democracy
• Rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect
• Tolerance of those of different faiths.

At Seaburn Dene Primary School, we value the diverse ethnicity of Britain and undertake a variety of events and lessons to celebrate these. We have found this approach to be enriching for all parties, as it teaches tolerance and respect for the differences in our community and the wider world. Underpinning all of this, are a range of curriculum topics which have strong links to British Values. We actively challenge children, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.

To promote these values:

We have an elected school council where pupil’s voices are heard and pupils also have the opportunity to complete questionnaires and take action on behalf of the whole school community. We actively encourage Pupil Voice through our: Anti-Bullying Team, Sports Leaders, Travel Tracker ambassadors, Climate Friendly Schools Group. 

Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind 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, Armed Services, MPs etc. are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message. In the broad and balanced curriculum that we deliver, there is opportunity to discuss these aspects of modern life. 

Pupils are actively encouraged and supported to make informed choices, to know and exercise their rights and personal freedom, but safely, for example through our e-safety activities and policy.

Respect is one of the four core values of our school. The pupils know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone, adults and children.

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 behaviour.

Links and visits are promoted with local faith communities and places of worship. E.g. Members of different faiths or religions are invited to school to share their knowledge and enhance learning within assemblies and in class. We have established close links with the local Muslim  community, at the Masjid e Anwaar e Madinah Mosque and at our local church, St Andrew's in Roker and through organisations such as Wearside Youth For Christ.

Our collective worship calendar actively promotes these values through the use of SMSC and RE objectives and they are a focus throughout the school and incorporated further into PSHE and RE lessons.

As a school we recognise and celebrate traditional Saints days and the festivals linked to the faiths within our community. Last year, some of our pupils took part in Chinese New Year, Eid-UlAdha and Easter  events and celebrations. Faith stories from Christianity are introduced to the children via the weekly Open The Book assembly and termly Prayer Spaces.

Our KS1 pupils perform an annual Nativity Play for parents.

We take part in a whole school Remembrance service each year.