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 British Values are:

• democracy
• rule of law
• individual liberty
• mutual respect
• tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

How do we teach British Values?

Core aspects of British Values are promoted through the SMSC work that is integrated throughout every year group. All of the British Values are covered across the curriculum: we don’t plan specific ‘lessons’ to teach children British values – they are included in everything we do. Britain has undergone rapid economic and social change in the last few decades and we live in an increasingly diverse society. We need to teach our children that it is possible to live together peacefully, each of them a valuable part of our multicultural world. 

Individual liberty
At Stanley Common C of E Primary school, we teach that children are unique and their thoughts and ideas are to be valued and incorporated into school life. They are actively encouraged to make independent choices knowing that they are in a safe environment. Children are encouraged to understand and exercise their responsibilities and uniqueness, receiving advice about how to exercise these safely, for example through the teaching of E-Safety in computing lessons, pupil voice and school assemblies.

Rule of law

The importance of laws, why we need them and the consequences that arise from not following them are consistently reinforced throughout the school day. Pupils are encouraged to understand the need for school rules and link this to the rules that need to exist within society as a whole. Children are taught the rules and expectations to meet at school, what they mean and the reason why we have rules. These are reinforced through PSHE lessons and assemblies.

Democracy

The principle of democracy is best taught by experiencing it. Where possible, we provide opportunities in school to give their voice and vote for decisions made in school.

Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

Our broad and balanced Religious Education curriculum provides educational opportunities to understand a range of faiths, religions and cultures. Wherever possible, this learning is taken outside of the classroom, with a visit to a place of worship of the religion being studied. Respect and tolerance for different faiths, religions and cultures are further consolidated through assemblies.

British Values are embedded in our day-to-day curriculum:

• We teach children to be kind, helpful and respectful of others;
• We teach children to be part of their local community;
• We plan to celebrate festivals and mark special days from the world around us;
• We teach the children about compromise – that some of us believe one thing, some of us believe something totally different, but we can all play together in the same house (or group setting) and respect each other.

British values: teaching about similarities and differences.

• We teach children to work together – we provide them with tasks that involve everyone  and we plan group times, where children learn to listen, take turns and value contributions from others. This type of planning is a very important part of British values: teaching about shared values and working together towards a common goal;
• We teach children to listen and respect others.

Here are some ways in which we can teach children about life in modern Britain:

• We teach children about the world around them and use the seasons, weather, special days etc. to plan meaningful learning experiences.
• We teach children about Britain, showing them the work of sculptors and artists to inspire creativity, listening to music to promote dance and drama (and listening skills of course)

Examples of ways parents can help to teach British Values at home

• Design your own cards to give to family and friends. Talk about how children across the world will be sending cards to their family and friends. This teaches the children that we live in a multi-cultural and diverse world.

• When you are on an outing, talk about the importance of respecting the natural world and respecting the law such as picking up your litter and the importance of social responsibility.

• As you talk to the children about appropriate behaviour, this helps them understand right from wrong as they prepare to be a member of society.