Promoting British Values through the Virtue Literacy Programme

The 18 virtues which underpin the Floreat Character Programme have been identified as universal and prized by people of all faiths and cultures.  These virtues are the basis of our school culture but are also taught formally through the Virtue Literacy Programme which promotes the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of our pupils.  Through our Virtue Literacy provision we actively promote the British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance, as appropriate for the age of our pupils.

Democracy

Through explicitly teaching virtues such as leadership and teamwork and creativity, children learn that they have an important contribution to make to the rest of the group.  The activities for leadership and teamwork require children to take turns and collaborate. Pupils are also taught to value service and learn how they can contribute positively to their school and community.

The Rule of Law

The Virtues Literacy programme helps pupils to distinguish right from wrong. The units on honesty in Reception through to Year 2 encourage pupils to accept responsibility for their behaviour.  Pupils are guided to consider the consequences of their actions for themselves and others, to show initiative, and make positive choices.

Individual Liberty

The Virtues Literacy Programme provides opportunities for pupils to develop a positive sense of themselves. The taught virtues of creativity and curiosity celebrates pupils’ questions and ideas. Through teaching perseverance, staff have opportunities to develop pupils’ self knowledge and to increase their confidence in their own abilities, for example, discussing how to show resilience in testing situations.

Mutual Respect and Tolerance

The Virtues Literacy programme includes stories from all over the world and different faith traditions. This fosters an acceptance that other people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted.  In the Early Years taught sessions on empathy and perspective focus on teaching pupils that difference should be accepted and tolerated and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour.  The character programme also helps pupils to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures through inviting visitors to the school. One lesson on appreciation and awe highlights the importance of identifying and combatting discrimination in the context of challenging gender stereotypes.