Promoting British Values at Kenley Primary School

The Department for Education defines British Values as having 5 different elements:

The promotion of British values and ethos is a key part of life at Kenley Primary School. They are an integral element to our approach to teaching and learning and the wider school community.

The following information highlights just a few of the ways that these values form part of our every day school life and how they are reinforced regularly:

Democracy

Democracy is central to the school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard in different ways including through our Pupil Parliament. The elections of Pupil Parliament members are based solely on pupil votes. Our commitment to valuing ‘pupil voice’ ensures that across the school children are involved in making decisions about school life including their learning. The principal of democracy is also explored at an age appropriate level in History and Religious Studies as well as in class time and assemblies.

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws (whether to govern the class, the school, or the country) are consistently reinforced across our school. Pupils are taught from an early age the rules of the school. These ‘The Kenley Way’, our expectations for behaviour, as well as Charters for the playgrounds, the Dinner Hall and individual Class Charters. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and 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 and Fire Service help reinforce this message.

Individual Liberty

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices and take risks, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms. We advise them how to exercise these safely and responsibly, for example through our Online Safety and PSHE sessions.

Mutual Respect

Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around our Values of Ambition, Responsibility and Community and the expectation to ‘Be Respectful’ and pupils are regularly involved in discussions related to what this means and how it is shown. This is displayed around the school to promote 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. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE. Throughout the year we celebrate key religious events by involving the school in practical experiences to deepen their understanding of different faiths and beliefs, with a particular focus on how these events are celebrated in Britain.