British Values

The DfE has 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.”

At Boxted St Peter’s Church of England School, we believe these British Values are not just taught in discrete lessons, but rather, are demonstrated in how we speak to the children, what we offer them, the relationships we have with them, and how our curriculum is designed, in short – our tolerant, respectful, child-centred environment seeks to model the very values described in the previous paragraph.

We think education is about helping people to understand how things work and how to challenge and change them for the better. Values won’t be assumed because schools demand them, particularly if they are very different from those at home. They have to be arrived at through mutual exploration and understanding.

Democracy (linked to church value, Hope):

Democracy is endemic within the school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council and Pupil Perception Questionnaires. The elections of School Councillors allow children to democratically elect their representatives. School Council work to improve the school. They also raise money for charities. Furthermore, we hold Head Boy and Girl elections at the beginning of a new academic year. Year six children run campaigns and vote on their preferred candidate. Following speeches and campaigns, the whole school vote in a real election with ballot boxes and papers. Sports Council and Faith Group are also voted for; these ‘committees’ work together to improve sports and collective worship, respectively. We encourage volunteerism. This includes roles such as librarians, buddies (for new entrants) and ‘Play Leaders’.

The Rule of Law (linked to church values Forgiveness, Compassion):

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days and through school collective worship. Our children recently helped us to write our new Behaviour Policy; they developed a Code of Conduct and were instrumental in deciding how the Code should be reinforced. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, (e.g. 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; Lifeguards etc. are regular parts of our curriculum and help reinforce this message. Our Christian Values encourage children to know God’s law and to reflect upon how this relates to British law. Children are taught regularly about e-safety and are required to abide by a set of rules when using the internet.

Individual Liberty (linked to church values, Compassion and Perseverance):

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 safely, through of provision of a safe environment and an empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and they are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it be through choice of challenge, ways in which work may be recorded, or participation in our numerous extracurricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices. One example of this is in our homework system – children get to choose what they learn from a grid of over 30 activities. Children are free to develop their learning at home in a style that suits them. Our school provides pastoral support and guidance through: play therapy, a family support worker, undertaking the ‘Summit’ programme, which includes access to therapists through Colchester mind. Growth Mindset is an important part of our school ethos, encouraging all children to become life-long learners, regardless of backgrounds and encouraging them to aspire and achieve.

Mutual Respect (linked to church values, Compassion and Respect):

An important part of our school ethos and Behaviour Policy revolves around Church Values: Respect, Perseverance, Compassion, Hope, Peace and Forgiveness. We believe that positive, respectful relationships are at the heart of school life. Respect is modelled in the behaviour and attitudes of all adults in school, and is evident in the relationships that they have with each other, as well as with our children. We have high expectations of pupil conduct and this is reflected in our Behaviour Policy. Children are taught to respect each other, to work cooperatively and collaboratively. Mutual respect is also promoted through the teachings of Jesus in the RE curriculum, PSHE lessons and collective worship.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs (linked to church value, Peace):

We teach children that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected by law. Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs is promoted through the Diocese of Chelmsford Religious Education Syllabus, supported by the Essex Scheme of Work. Children learn about different religions; their beliefs, places of worship and festivals. Collective worship and discussions involving prejudices and prejudicebased bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE. Our topic based curriculum offers opportunity for children to study diverse cultures and faiths.

Extremism

Something which is clearly not part of any British or European value is extremism. It is important to remember that whilst the threat from so-called Islamic State has been a focus in the Counter Terrorism and Security Act, the Prevent Duty is clear that extremism of all kinds should be tackled too. In England, far right groups such as Britain First and the English Defence League need to be tackled, too. Extremism is not a new topic in education, but schools have a relatively new statutory duty to pay “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”.

Read the government's Prevent Duty Guidance and its Guidance for Schools.