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. 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 and respect
At Bowburn 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 eg parliament, police/emergency services. - Encourage pupils to become involved in decision-making processes and ensure they are
listened to in school eg school council - Help pupils to express their views eg through English lessons and opportunities to present
work and opinions - Teach pupils how public services operate and how they are held to account
- Model how perceived injustice can be peacefully challenged.
The Rule of Law
- 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 within history
- Help pupils to understand that living under the rule of law protects individuals
- Include visits from the police, PCSO and other emergency services in the curriculum
- Involve pupils in discussing and rectifying poor behaviour.
Individual Liberty
- Support pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence.
- Encourage pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour, as well as knowing their rights
- Challenge stereotypes
- Implement a strong anti-bullying culture
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.
