British Values at Holywell Primary School

At Holywell Primary School we actively 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.

 At our school, we think it is very important that our pupils develop a strong set of values and principles and that they question and understand what it means to grow up in British society. Through a rich and challenging curriculum and through a focus on key events, we encourage pupils to reflect upon their role in society. We have developed the following statement which we feel encompasses our approach:

'Our balance of academic excellence and opportunities underpins our aspirational expectations and provides pupils with the skill, attitudes, and confidence required to lead highly successful lives in modern Britain. The promotion of equality and diversity within our schools assists us in the embedding of the British values of tolerance, fairness, respect for other faiths, and the rule of law and democracy.'

Examples of actions our school will take to promote British values are:

Democracy: an understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process

• During suitable parts of the curriculum - as appropriate for the age of pupils - material on the strengths, advantages, and disadvantages of democracy, and how democracy and the law work in Britain, in contrast to other forms of government in other countries
• Our School Council, led by the Deputy headteacher, adheres to democratic processes
• Assemblies that promote listening to children’s views and promoting their ‘voice’
• Responding to key events such as general or local elections
• A commitment to Pupils’ voice via T Days, Golden Time, pupil interviews, pupil surveys and class representatives

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs: an acceptance that people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour

• Our RE curriculum provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions, and cultures based on the Leicestershire agreed syllabus
• We actively use the school resources to promote learning and integration into our school society when any new child begins at our school
• We have visitors from other countries and faiths who share their culture with the children through lessons linked to curriculum areas
• We regularly celebrate festivals and celebrations of a range of faiths practiced in British society

Rule of law: an understanding that the freedom to hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law

• We have a clearly structured behaviour strategy
• We regularly review behaviour incidents in school and share these with relevant stakeholders
• Assemblies are delivered about safety awareness and E-safety (each year group has a half-term unit on E-safety)

Individual Liberty and Mutual Respect: an understanding of the importance of identifying and combatting discrimination

• Children have the opportunity to have key roles and responsibilities within the school such as Play Leaders, Librarians
• Children are actively encouraged to make the right choices, knowing they are in a safe and supportive environment
• As a school, we educate and provide boundaries for children to make choices safely
• Our curriculum embodies values of mutual respect through topics such as relationships and responsible citizens
• Respect is embedded within our class rules and is one of our whole school character muscles

British Values Statement

Our balance of academic excellence and opportunities underpin our aspirational expectations and provide pupils with the skills, attitudes, and confidence required to lead successful lives in modern Britain.

The promotion of equality and diversity within our school assists us in the embedding of the British values of tolerance fairness, respect for other faiths, and the rule of law and democracy.