Promoting British Values at Shalom Noam Primary School

At Shalom Noam, we promote fundamental British values through our ethos, the curriculum, our Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development.

British values are actively promoted through assemblies and tefillah, and by making cross-curricular links where possible. Our children are taught to value, respect and understand different cultures and religions, while being encouraged to explore and understand their own Jewish heritage as well as what it means to be British.

דִינָא דְמַלכוּתָא דִיָנא first and foremost the established Jewish teaching "dina d’malchuta dina - The law of the land is the law" is the basis of all our teachings at school.

We reinforce and promote British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance.

Democracy

עֲרֵבִים זֶה לָזֶה

Children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. Classes hold annual elections in order to select two school council members for each year group. The school council meets regularly to discuss issues raised by pupils.

The children have been involved in making decisions about a range of aspects of school life, such as school lunches and playground equipment. Our pupils are often encouraged to discuss their viewpoints in lessons and to make decisions as a group, giving them additional choice and autonomy.

Pupils have opportunities to learn about British democratic values at the time of General Elections and from the visits of local politicians.

THE RULE OF LAW

דִינָא דְמַלכוּתָא דִיָנא

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. The Shalom Noam Home-School agreement sets out the contract between the school, the child and their parents. Circle time is used as an opportunity to discuss difficult situations that benefit from whole class discussion. Keeping safe when using the internet is regularly discussed with children in lessons and assemblies. Children are given session on keeping safe through the Shema Koli program.

The school has very good links with authorities such as the Police and Fire Service, who visit and help to reinforce the Rule of Law and education children on ways to keep themselves safe.

We run a cycling proficiency course for pupils and Street Awareness training opportunities run by Community Security Trust and Streetwise develop these themes further.

Individual Liberty

בְּחִירָה חָפְשִׁית

As a school we educate and provide boundaries for pupils to make choices, through provision of a safe environment and an empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely; for example in computing through our approach to Online Safety. We help children to develop a positive sense of themselves.   Through the daily opportunities we provide, we are helping our children to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and increase their confidence in their own abilities.

The many extra-curricular clubs provide children with opportunities to make choices.

Reward systems, Star of the Week Award, Significant Achievement Reinforced in weekly assemblies, Inter school Sports tournaments, Etgar interschool quiz all form part of Individual Liberty t Shalom Noam.

Mutual Respect

וְאָהַבְתָּ לְרֶעֲךָ כָּמוֹךָ

Respect forms a central pillar of our school and ethos:

Love your neighbour as you love yourself (Vayikra / Leviticus Chapter 19)

Children learn that their behaviour has an impact on their rights and those of others. There are many opportunities to develop SMSC (Social, Emotional, Spiritual and Cultural Education) across the curriculum for example through Kodesh middos programs, PSHE, PE, Art, Music, History, Geography, Science and English. Children are encouraged to work in collaboration as much as possible either in their class, with other year groups.

Pupils are treated with respect and learn to treat each other and staff with respect. This is reinforced through our Behaviour Policy and reward scheme. Tolerance and respect for others is achieved through direct class-based lessons, through pupils’ knowledge and understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and the opportunity for pupils to experience such diversity, including visitors to school, class outings etc. Throughout the year, assemblies are held focusing on many aspects of tolerance, respect, different cultures and other aspects of British Values. Opportunities include: Middos Tovos (positive personal and interpersonal attributes) Children’s Tzedakah Monitors, Great Ormond Street Hospital Fundraiser Royal British Legion collection Middoh (positive attribute of the week ). Multicultural Week reinforced in assemblies, Anti-bullying week and Chinese New Year.

Tolerance

Within our school we constantly promote tolerance towards others from different backgrounds, cultures, languages, faiths and beliefs. 

Tolerance and respect for others is achieved through class-based lessons, through pupils’ knowledge and understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and the opportunity for pupils to experience such diversity, including visitors to school and class outings.  Our pupils make visits to National Institutions and Museums.   We celebrate and commemorate British Events such as Remembrance Day and HM The Queen's Birthday.

Throughout the year, assemblies are held focusing on many aspects of tolerance, respect, different cultures and other aspects of British Values.