British Values

BRITISH VALUES

All schools have a responsibility 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’ (DfE 2014).

British Values are an important part of our education and we take our responsibility of helping to develop and prepare our children for life in modern Britain as a key part of preparing young people for their world in their time.

At Dinton Primary School, we have a British Value focus, which often comes from something in the news and leads to discussion and a deeper understanding. A British Values display in the hall offers supporting resources, stimulating discussion among the children and helping to develop understanding from different viewpoints.

Each fortnight, these discussion foci are shared, via email, with families and members of our community so that they can be discussed at home, if parents wish. 

At our school, these values are reinforced regularly in the following ways:

Democracy

Democracy is an embedded feature within our school. Children have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our school parliament, sports leaders, Y6 exit interviews and house captains. Voices are also heard through regular pupil questionnaires. The elections to posts of responsibility are based solely on pupil votes. Our school behaviour policy involves rewards and children earn points for their House.

The Rule of Law

The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days. Our behaviour policy looks to develop positive learning behaviours within children who ‘live’ the school values and look to develop over and above behaviours, such as learning to influence others positively. Behaviour is seen as a priority. The children at Dinton Primary School are taught the value and reasons behind laws and rules, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws and rules are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message. Children understand that their behaviour and regard for the rules extends beyond the school itself, such as being school ambassadors whilst on school visits.

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 safely, through the 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, of how they record, or of participation in our extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices. Throughout their time at Dinton Primary School, children are encouraged to challenge their personal best by giving them ownership of their own learning. Children regularly have next steps shared with them, whether verbally or with written feedback in books so they know exactly what they can do to progress.

Mutual Respect

Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around the Core Values such as ‘Respect’ and pupils have been part of discussions and Collective Worship related to what this means and how it is shown. Celebration Worship is linked to our school and British values and we celebrate achievement, positive attitudes and hard work regularly. Learning and effort are highly respected across the school and celebrated with us developing wisdom as a core value.

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. Collective Worship and assemblies have discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying and these have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE. We regularly speak to children about other cultures and countries. All our children learn about other cultures and countries from around the World in RE lessons. Children study Islam, Judaism and Hinduism. Our reading spine is carefully designed to show the inclusion of texts from different faiths and beliefs which challenge stereotypes.