Promoting British Values
The Department for Education state there is a 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.”
What are British Values?
Schools have been asked to explain how they promote British values. 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 and respect
At Delves Lane Primary School we are committed to these values and regularly reinforce them in the following ways:
Democracy
- Provide pupils with a broad general knowledge of, and promote respect for, public institutions and services e.g. parliament, police/emergency services.
- Hold ‘mock elections’ so pupils learn how to argue and defend points of view e.g. when electing representatives to the Rights Respecting School Council for each class
- Encourage pupils to become involved in decision-making processes and ensure they are listened to in school e.g. Rights Respecting School Council
- Help pupils to express their views e.g. through English lessons and opportunities to present work and opinions
- Teach pupils how public services operate and how they are held to account
- Encourage pupils to become involved in decision-making processes and ensure they are listened to in school – UNCRC Article 12
- Model how perceived injustice can be peacefully challenged
The Rule of Law
- Ensure school expectations are clear and fair e.g. by discussing these with pupils and establishing classroom and whole school charters with the pupils themselves.
- Ensure school rules and expectations are clear and fair
- Help pupils to distinguish from right and wrong
- 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 individuals
- Include visits from the police, PCSO, the Fire Service and other emergency services in the curriculum
- Develop approaches focused on fairness and justice to resolve conflicts, e.g. the Restorative Approach for pupils in Key Stage 1 and 2 and Conflict Resolution in the Early Years
- Our school takes part in The Big Lesson every year now which helps children to understand their knowledge of the rule of law and their legal rights. It occurs every March staff will deliver this year’s lesson which focuses on Juvenile Justice (March 2022)
Individual Liberty
Support pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence, e.g. through the curriculum offer at Delves Lane Primary School
- Encourage pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour, as well as knowing their rights
- Challenge stereotypes,
- Implement a strong anti-bullying culture, as set out in our Anti-Bullying and Relationships and Behaviour policies
Respect & Tolerance
- Promote respect for individual differences – school ethos, teaching of RE & PSHE
- Help pupils to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life
- Challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour
- Organise visits to places of worship
- Develop links with faith communities
- Develop critical personal thinking skills
- Discuss differences between people, such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, gender or sexuality and differences of family situations
