British Values

Promoting Fundamental British Values.

In accordance with The Department for Education we aim to actively promote British values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. 

Pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law.

The Key Values are:

•    Democracy

Democracy is embedded within the school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our mixed age school circle times.  These are planned regularly and are focused around pupil voice, discussing and voting on whole school issues such as the school’s vision statement, school rules, the behaviour policy and what causes to support as part of the school’s charity work.  Our school’s behaviour policy involves rewards, which the pupils vote on as a class group.

•    The rule of law

The importance of laws and rules, whether those governing the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout the school day.  Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws or rules; that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when rules are broken.  This is embedded at all levels of behaviour management and the SMSC curriculum. It is regularly a focus for assemblies, class circle times and small group work. There is an emphasis on fairness, sharing and making the right choices in line with the rules of the setting and principles of good citizenship.  Awards for pupils who do this well are part of the weekly whole school celebration assemblies.

•    Individual liberty

Independence and pupils individual choices are a key part of our curriculum and vision for the school.  Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.  As a school we create supportive boundaries for children to make these choices providing a safe and enabling environment.  All teaching staff make efforts to follow children’s interests and use children’s own lines of questioning.  Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to do this safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE /RSHE 2020/21 curriculum.

•    Mutual respect

Our school ethos and behaviour policy revolves around values such as respect and inclusion. Pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. This is reiterated through our classroom and school rules, as well as our behaviour policy.  Our PSED/new RSHE curriculum reinforces this and our daily ‘star of the day’ and ‘secret student’ in each class gives each child a chance to be praised and celebrated by their peers.

•    Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs 

This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. This is done specifically through PSHE, RE and SMSC, RSHE 2020/21, Diversity Day as well as across the whole curriculum where relevant.