What are British Values?

Schools have been asked to explain how they promote British values. So what are ‘British’ values? There are certain values that have been attributed to being British, by the government and some institutions, and these fall into the following broad areas:

• Democracy
• The Rule of Law
• Individual Liberty
• Tolerance & Respect

How do we specifically promote ‘British Values’ at our school?

We seek to promote British values in our policies and practice here at our school. Our activities and the way we manage learning and behaviour, clearly reflect British values. We promote these values in the following ways:

Democracy

• Provide pupils with a broad general knowledge of, and promote respect for, public institutions and services – by discussing these whenever appropriate in curriculum work.
• Teach pupils how they can influence decision-making through the democratic process – e.g. School Parliament, pupil voice.
• Encourage pupils to become involved in decision-making processes and ensure they are listened to in school.
• Help pupils to express their views  and opportunities to present learning and opinions.
• Model how perceived injustice can be peacefully challenged e.g. through our interactions with pupils and the school’s restorative behaviour policy and discussing scenarios in assemblies and class PHSRE work.

The Rule of Law

• Ensure school rules and expectations are clear and fair e.g. by discussing these with pupils and establishing classroom rules with the pupils themselves.
• Help pupils to distinguish right from wrong e.g. during everyday interactions and discussions of stories.
• Help pupils to respect the law and the basis on which it is made e.g. by showing how rules help everyone to interact in an orderly and fair manner and protect the vulnerable in society.
• Help pupils to understand that living under the rule of law protects all of us
• Include visits from the police in the curriculum e.g. have sessions with the Community Police Officers and visits from the Fire Service.
• Our restorative behaviour policy focuses on fairness and justice to resolve conflicts.

Individual Liberty

• Support pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence e.g. through all areas of teaching and learning in school.
• Encourage pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour, as well as knowing their rights and responsibilities.
• Challenge stereotypes e.g. through PSHRE learning and assemblies.
• Implement a strong anti-bullying culture – as enshrined in our policies for Anti-Bullying and Behaviour.

Respect and Tolerance

• Promote respect for individual differences in all areas of learning and interaction.
• Help pupils to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life e.g. through our Religious Education work and PSHRE.
• Challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour e.g. through discussion and for example our anti racism sessions, as well as our approach to behaviour in school.
• Organise visits to places of worship e.g. visits to the local churches and other diverse places of worship as appropriate to the curriculum.
• Discuss differences between people, such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, gender and differences of family situations e.g. through our PSHRE and broader curricular work and through visitors to school sharing their experiences.