British Values are an important element of safeguarding as they help to prevent extremism and radicalisation. Through work on British Values, we help to prepare our young people for life in modern Britain as they grow older and leave school.
The British values underpin what it is to be a British citizen in what is a modern and diverse Britain, and promote moral and cultural understanding that celebrates the diversity of the UK. Promoting these fundamental British values usually occurs during spiritual, moral social, and cultural (SMSC) development.
There are 5 British values, although the final 2 values are sometimes counted as 1 value.
- Democracy;
- The rule of law;
- Individual liberty;
- Mutual respect;
- Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.
Democracy
All pupils, parents, and staff have the right to have their voices heard. In Wolviston Primary this is achieved through a pupil-elected school council, where class representatives raise issues and suggest ideas for improvement. Parents and carers are given the opportunity to express any concerns or queries through parent questionnaires and parents’ evenings.
The Rule of Law
Children are taught the reasons behind rules and laws, how they govern and protect us, and the consequences of what happens when these laws are broken. Children are taught to take responsibility for their own actions.
Individual Liberty
The freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs in a safe environment are promoted. We support children to understand that they have rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely. Pupils are supported to become as independent as possible.
Mutual respect and Tolerance of those of different faiths or beliefs
Children in Wolviston are given regular opportunities to learn about different cultures and beliefs to reinforce messages of tolerance and respect. This allows them to understand and respect values that differ from their own as well as knowing how to show empathy and understanding of people from different backgrounds.
Our main teaching principles for children learning British Values
Staff at Wolviston Primary:
Encourage:
- respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England.
- children to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and to society more widely
- respect for other people
Enable:
- children to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England
- children to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem, and self-confidence
- children to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England
Our school values align closely with British values and through these our pupils will become productive citizens of modern Britain. These values are threaded throughout school life and evident in pupils’ behaviour in all areas.
Prevent Duty and British Values
Our Prevent Duty and British Values work synonymously together, as they both send the same messages that are intended to deter young people from becoming victims of radicalisation and extremism in Britain. The aim of British Values is to encourage children to have tolerance for different belief systems. By teaching British values, we combine these elements of Safeguarding, Prevent Duty, and British Values together.