Promoting British Values
The Department for Education has introduced a statutory duty for schools to promote British Values more actively from September 2014, and to ensure they are taught in schools.
Horndale County Infant & Nursery School is committed to serving its community. It recognises the multi-cultural, multi faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. It also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.
It follows equal opportunities guidance which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar.
Our School is dedicated to preparing pupils for their adult life beyond the formal examined curriculum and ensuring that it promotes and reinforces British values to all its students.
The Government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools. The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.
The five British Values are:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
The school uses strategies within the National curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for students. The examples that follow show some of the many ways school seeks to embed British values.
Democracy
The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced at Horndale, with democracy processes being used for important decisions within the school community, for instance, elections being held for School Council positions.
| Statement | Evidence | Impact |
| The children at Horndale County Infant & Nursery School see democracy in a variety of ways and see this as being an essential component of successful team working | The establishment of the School Council is through a democratic vote.
Partner and group work within class. Learning Walks for behaviour and behaviour for learning School Values. | Children are able to work cooperatively in pairs and groups as well as in whole class situations. They understand about turn taking and respecting the views of others.
Children in school are able to use the language of respect |
The rule of law
The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at our school. Pupils are taught the rules and expectations of the school which are highlighted by the school rules. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service reinforce this message.
| Statement | Evidence | Impact |
| The children at are familiar with this concept through the philosophy that infuses the entire work of the school.
Children are used to debating and discussing laws/rules and their application. Children are familiar with the local Police who visit to talk to them informally. | Class Rules
School Rules School Values Collective Worship Learning Walks for behaviour and behaviour for learning Children are encouraged to provide their views on how behaviour is managed within school | Children are able to articulate how and why we need to behave in school and demonstrate they understand and can abide by these |
Individual liberty
All pupils are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Staff at school educate and provide boundaries for pupils to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education.
Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through e-safety and independent work.
Horndale County Infant & Nursery School has a comprehensive Behaviour Management Policy.
| Statement | Evidence | Impact |
| Our Values based discussions and acts of worship begin with discussion about the self, e.g. self–respect and self-worth in relation to the individual value so that children see that they are important in their own right.
Children are strongly encouraged to develop independence in learning and to think for themselves | Children are able to show independence in learning and to think for themselves
Children understand that they are part of wider communities | Children understand about the importance of accepting responsibility and of their right to be heard in school
They are consulted on many aspects of school life and demonstrate independence of thought and action |
Mutual Respect
Pupils learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect and this is reiterated through its teaching and learning environments.
Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum by providing the opportunity for students to express their views in a safe environment.
| Statement | Evidence | Impact |
| Respect is a fundamental school value, around which pivots much of the work of the school.
Respect is a school value that is discussed deeply including self-respect as well as respect for family, friends, and other groups; the world and its people; and the environment | School Rules
Enrichment visits | Children can articulate that respect is a school value and why respect is important; how they show respect to others and how they feel about it for themselves
Children’s behaviour demonstrates their good understanding of this value in action. |
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
Children benefit from a number of visits and visitors, including those from other cultures. Additionally, pupils are actively encouraged to share their faith and beliefs within the school and celebrate festivities throughout the calendar year. At Horndale we are very careful to deliver a broad and balanced Religious Education curriculum which teaches the children what beliefs and values are important to world religions. It is our view that it is through this understanding and knowledge children will develop tolerance.
| Statement | Evidence | Impact |
| As a diverse community we work hard to ensure that we promote tolerate of all regardless of faith or beliefs. | School Assemblies
RE curriculum School Rules | Children are able to talk about the different faiths and cultures they learn about, ask questions and show tolerance and respect for others of different faiths and religions. |
