Through our provision, we are proud that our pupils develop an understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process; an appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens and is essential for our wellbeing and safety and a respect for different faiths, beliefs and religious practices. As a school, we value and celebrate the diverse heritages of everybody at Iqra.

School Council

Our children gain first hand experiences that reinforce our commitment to the promotion of British values. The election of the School Council members reflects our British electoral system and demonstrates democracy in action: candidates make speeches, pupils consider characteristics important for an elected representative, pupils vote in secret using ballot boxes and nominations are made up of four representatives from each class, which then get whittled down to the two elected candidates. The School Council meets regularly to discuss issues raised by the different classes. The council has its own budget and is able to genuinely effect change within the school; last year they were instrumental in deciding where charitable monies raised should be directed, as well as choosing playground markings for the benefit of all pupils.

Pupil Voice

Other examples of the ‘pupil voice’ at Iqra are:

• children agree their Class Charter and the rights associated with these; all children contribute to the drawing up of the charter
• using Pupil Feedback forms, children are asked to respond and reflect on the teaching and learning
• Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. We encourage pupils to take ownership of not only their school but also of their own learning and progress. This encourages a heightened sense of both personal and social responsibility and is demonstrated on a daily basis by our pupils.

Charity work

Our children themselves nominate various charities, then within their own class, select two to go forward to the School Council, who then vote to decide two school charities which we support. This has enabled us to become involved in fund-raising for several good causes. The pictures on this page in relation to Trinity Hospice are but one such example of that work. 

Rules and Laws

The importance of rules and laws, whether they be those that govern our school or our country, are referred to and reinforced often, such as in assemblies and when reflecting on behaviour choices. At the start of the school year, each class discusses and sets its own Class Charter, a set of principles that are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment.

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. These values are reinforced in different ways:

• visits from authorities such as the police and fire service
• during Religious Education, when rules for particular faiths are thought about
• during other school subjects, where there is respect and appreciation for different rules – in a sports lesson, for example

Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Through the provision of a safe, supportive environment and empowering education, we provide boundaries for our young pupils to make choices safely; for example, and when appropriate:

• choices about what they are learning (‘what would I like to know’?)
• choices about how they record their learning
• choices around the participation in extra-curricular activities

Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are taught how to exercise these safely, such as in our e-safety and SEAL lessons.

Being Londoners

Iqra is proud to be able to educate its’ pupils in such a great City and seeks to promote our children’s vision of themselves as young Londoners, with a stake in its future and a commitment to all that it has to offer. We use educational visits for all of our pupils as an integral part of this enrichment: The British Museum, The Science Museum, Kew Gardens, The Natural History Museum, parks and commons, libraries and historical places of interest such as Pudding Lane. We teach life skills to our pupils including how to cycle safely, how to use public transport safely, how to respect all of the other commuters and travellers around them. Our pupils even take an interest in the quality of the environment that surrounds them and the part they can play in helping to make it even better (eg; air pollution).

Lambeth Citizens

Our pupils care about their locality. Currently, we are working alongside the Lambeth Citizens UK group to think about ways in which our school can impact upon the quality of the air around us, including anti-idling initiatives and themed road safety and cycle awareness weeks. These sorts of issues matter greatly and at Iqra Primary School, we aim to encourage all of our young people to have a stake in the future of their community. 

Diversity

Iqra Primary is in an area which is greatly culturally diverse and we are proud to promote and celebrate our different backgrounds and beliefs. Mutual respect is at the heart of our values and our motto;

Training for this life and the Hereafter

and features prominently in several of our school rules:

• Respect people and school property
• Show good Manners
• Love for your brothers and sisters what you love for yourself

Our pupils know and understand that it is expected and imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have, and to everything. Children learn that their behaviour choices have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community are supported to treat each other with respect.

Specific examples of how we at Iqra Primary enhance pupils’ understanding and respect for different faiths and beliefs are:

• through Religious Education, SEAL and other lessons where we might develop awareness and appreciation of other cultures – in English through fiction and in Art by considering culture from other parts of the world, for example
• enjoying a depth of study during Community Themed Weeks, where sometimes we will celebrate and enjoy learning about the differences in countries and cultures around the word (whilst at other times we might consider groups or individuals who might be vulnerable in some way, such as those with mental health issues)

Sadly, no school can guarantee that there will never be instances which are contrary to this value. At Iqra Primary, such instances are extremely rare. They are treated seriously in line with our core values and policies.

The Prevent Strategy

Schools have been required to promote British Values since 2014, and this will continue to be part of our response to the Prevent strategy. Many of the things we already do in school to help children become positive, happy members of society also contribute to the Prevent strategy.