LEARN MORE ABOUT
British values
The Government defined its concept of ‘British values’ in its 2011 Prevent strategy
and since 2014 the Department for Education has required all academies to
“promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs”.
Our school welcomes and values everyone, whatever their ability, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality, or background. We believe we have a vital role in combating discrimination and promoting fairness, justice, and equality through our teaching and in the role models we offer. We teach our pupils to be responsible citizens and positive representatives of the United Kingdom within the wider world.
Promoting British values is, therefore, an intrinsic part of all we do. We expect that these values and attitudes are modelled and promoted by all the staff, allowing pupils to see and hear these values in action every day.
We promote ‘British values’ through our spiritual, moral, social, and cultural education which is developed through all curriculum areas and in all aspects of school life.
British values’ have been identified as:
Democracy – Children are regularly involved in voting for key decisions in the academy, including for their class council member, choosing new play equipment and on changes to lunch menus.
- Pupils are involved in democratic processes e.g. voting for Pupil Leaders, rewards and incentives, debating
- Democracy linked assemblies
- Assemblies with a strong focus on pupil voice.
- Taught as an explicit value in Key stage 2 linked to Respect.
- Pupils annually choose what local, national and global charities to support.
Rule of Law, Individual Liberty and Mutual Respect are taught regularly in our academy. These key values are used to guide assemblies:
Rule of Law:
- School Behaviour Policy – all stakeholders are aware of this policy and it is understood and followed.
- School Rules are consistent and displayed in every classroom, group room and communal area of the school. School Rules are regularly reinforced in class assemblies and RSHE sessions.
- Pupil voice – School Council Assemblies
- Pupil/Parent/Carer survey relating to behaviour and safety of pupils in school.
- RSHE curriculum link – who to talk to if worried or feeling unsafe
- Assemblies linked to the law e.g. school Golden Rules, the value of respect etc.
- Consistent rules, rewards, consequences (Good to be Green)
- Year 6 have annual visits from Police officer for schools to talk about keeping safe and rules and laws relevant for them.
Individual Liberty:
- Understanding own responsibility in school in terms of behaviour and values.
- Pupil’s role within the school community – becoming the best people they can be
- Core Values taught across the school- known and promoted by school community members.
- Weekly values assemblies – class assemblies
- Values displays in every classroom and values reminders displayed around the school and evident in action.
- Award assemblies with certificates.
- Earning house points by following the school rules
Mutual Respect
- Shared, common ethical vocabulary reinforced daily – Respect is one of our school values.
- Importance of empathy for others is taught through our school value of Empathy.
- Positive relationships encouraged: pupil to pupil, taught and modelled; adult to pupils and adult to adult. This is taught and reinforced by school relation curriculum (part of Jigsaw)
- RE and RSHE curriculum.
- School Council Assemblies
- Family Links and parental involvement, through class assemblies,
- Friends events
- In-school and Trust competitive sports
- Librarians.
- House captains leading and supporting sporting event
Acceptance of different faiths and beliefs – Children are taught about different faiths and beliefs during their weekly religious education lesson. We have strong links with the local church and the local gurdwara. Children also have the opportunity to visit local places of worship to further enhance their understanding of different faiths.
- RE curriculum.
- Visiting places of worship are part of RE curriculum.
- Learning about, visiting and comparing different places of worship
- Behaviour Policy.
- Values Plan.
- Year group ‘showcase’ events for parents.
- Regular reflection opportunities throughout the day (pausing to be) and in assembly- Linked to core school value of Reflection
- Tolerance is taught as an explicit value across the school
We have mapped out all of the British Values on our long-term plans so you can see where they are covered in our curriculum.
