British Values
Promoting Fundamental British Values
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
- rule of law
- individual liberty
- mutual respect
- tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
Promoting British Values at St Mary's CofE VC Primary School
The DfE have reinforced the need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools 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.”
The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.
At St Mary's these values are developed in the following ways:
Democracy:
All pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council, Eco team, Head and Deputy head pupils. Elected class representatives meet discuss issues and to suggest ways to improve the life of the school, for example playground activities and clubs. The council also meet up with other school councils within our co-operative trust, for instance, to develop Anti Bullying work to disseminate back at school.
The Rule of Law:
The importance of Laws, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. 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. Classes have their own rules developed with the children. They have a clear understanding of the school’s behaviour system and the associate consequences of this. Our ethos is to promote the positive.
Individual Liberty:
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safety, through of provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our E- Safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it is through choice of challenge within learning, participation in extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual Respect:
Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy revolves around core values such as ‘Respect’, and pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. The school is an inclusive community, welcoming and supporting pupils within a culture of mutual respect. There is no discrimination within the school. Pupils are proud of their school and grow up as confident learners.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:
Our pupils share a growing understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and they have opportunities to experience diversity. We are a proud of our links with the local churches. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within the school. Our RE curriculum enables our children to learn about different faiths and to share their own.