Promoting Fundamental British Values.

In accordance with Department for Education guidance we aim to actively promote British values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. Pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law.

The Key Values are:

• democracy
• rule of law
• individual liberty
• mutual respect
• tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

Democracy:  embedded within the school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council and Pupil questionnaires and class worship times. The children elect class representatives for the School council.  Children are taught through class lessons how a democratic society works. 

The Rule of Law:  The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school worship. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police; Fire Service; etc. are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message. 

Individual Liberty:  Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safety, through of provision of a safe environment and empowering education.  Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it be through choice of challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices. 

Mutual Respect:  Our school ethos and behaviour revolves around ‘values’ such as ‘Respect’, Respect is one of the half termly Gospel Values that is regularly taught to the whole school.  Pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what respect means and how it can be shown. The school promotes respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our behaviour policy. 

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:  This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.

Part of our vision at Medlar with Wesham C E Primary is to prepare the children of the future to become valued members of society.   Promoting British Values enables children to develop a sense of community and begin to understand their responsibilities and role within it.