TEACHING FUNDAMENTAL BRITISH VALUES

Promoting Fundamental British Values at Round Hill Primary School

The DfE have recently reinforced the 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.” We recognise the multi-cultural and multi- faith nature of the United Kingdom which is reflected within our school community and know we have a crucial role in promoting these values. The statement below reflects how we actively and regularly promote British Values within the curriculum and extra-curricular activities at our school.

Here is our School Song Based on Fundamental British Values. 

Democracy:

Democracy underpins a lot of the work we undertake with our children. Pupil voice is a crucial part of our ethos. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council, contributions to interviewing new staff, pupil questionnaires, pupil voice interviews and our Green Group. Elections for School Council representatives are undertaken in each class and representatives are chosen from the School Council to represent Round Hill to meet governors.  Children are always able to voice their opinions, for example contributing to SEN reviews, and we foster an environment where children feel safe to disagree with each other. Our curriculum specifically studies democracy within certain year groups. Through RE, the wider curriculum and assembly themes, pupils discuss and debate fundamental questions about life.

The Rule of Law:

The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, the country, or international reach, are reinforced throughout our curriculum, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. The school’s behaviour code has at its core the principle of making the correct choices in life and our behaviour helps children make making the right choice and understand the impact if the wrong choice is made. Our children 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. NSPCC sessions and 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, children are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. Children are encouraged to take on roles of responsibility. Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised 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 work of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, children are given the freedom to make choices. In RE lessons we promote individual liberty through teaching and questioning about identity, belonging and diversity as outlined in the Nottingham Agreed Syllabus.

Mutual Respect:

Running through the heart of our school ethos and vision is respect. This is consistently and frequently discussed with the children through circle time, assemblies, class and school council. Our behaviour code is based around ensuring all children respect one another and treat each other fairly. Our PE lessons promote an attitude of equality and fairness. Our RE lessons, as well as others, challenge children to be respectful, understand each other and tolerate diversity. Our inclusive ethos and work to support local and national charities promotes understanding and respect for different groups in society.

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, PSHE, e-safety and anti- bullying week. We celebrate festivals from all religions and visit different places of worship. We celebrate different languages and encourage children to share their first language with their peers.

 

The celebration and promotion of the Fundamental British Values is a key role for our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champions in Years 1-6. More information can be found about this here. 

Please also see below for our Fundamental British Values song which we sing in our school assemblies and has helped the children to better understand the key vocabulary and terminology. 

Updated September 2022