British Values

Promoting Fundamental British Values

In accordance with The Department for Education we aim to actively promote British Values in school to ensure young people leave us 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.

Our Clarborough Curriculum works in harmony with our British Values, and through our work on developing both aspects, we encourage pupils to consider them together.

The Key British Values are:

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

How we do this at Clarborough Primary School:

The main way is through modelling and upholding at all times the values we wish to instil in our pupils. Assembly times and class discussions are often used to enhance the children’s understanding but we also do the following.

How do we teach democracy?

We teach pupils how they can influence decision-making through the democratic process. E.g. even the youngest children in Nursery are encouraged to ‘vote’ in various ways about things that affect them, like what book to read at story time, or what role play area we might be setting up. Pupils are encouraged to become involved as decision-makers and we ensure they are listened to in school, such as through Pupil Voice, our pupil committee.

How do we teach the rule of law?

We ensure school values and expectations are clear and fair and children are encouraged to see that living under the rule of law protects individuals.

Our school wide staged behaviour system helps the children to take responsibility for their actions and experience the consequences of their choices – both negative and positive.

How do we teach individual liberty?

We support pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence, teaching conflict resolution skills from their very first days with us at three years old.

We encourage pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour, as well as knowing their rights. All classes have a staged behaviour system in place and respect for one another is paramount.

We have a strong anti-bullying culture – our school has just achieved the Silver mark by the Anti-Bullying Alliance.

How do we teach respect and tolerance?

We help pupils to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life, particularly through the RE curriculum. Prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour is openly challenged and there is an ethos in the school that models, upholds and celebrates kindness, empathy and an understanding for another’s point of view.

We organise visits to places of worship. We celebrate the differences that exist between us, and foster a curiosity about how others live, seeking to share experiences rather than be concerned by unfamiliarity. Theme days, food tasting and cultural weeks all help our children to be open and unfazed by the unfamiliar.