Promoting Fundamental British Values

In accordance with The Department for Education 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 

British Values at Ditcheat Primary School

At Ditcheat Primary School, we promote British values which are integral to achieving our vision and are outlined in our mission statements.   British values are promoted in so much of what we do but particularly in assemblies, religious education and personal, social and health education.

Below are just some examples of how we promote British values:

Democracy

We have a school council and class councils where children have the opportunity for their voice to be heard.  Children are elected by their class peers and are involved in helping make decisions for the future of the school.  All of our school community from children to staff to parents have an opportunity each year to share their views about the school through a questionnaire.  Children often have a chance to vote for a class mate to be the Ditcheat Star which is celebrated in our Friday assemblies.

The rule of law

We start by explaining class rules and help the children to understand the value and importance of them.  Children are also taught the value and reasons behind laws that protect and govern our country and the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.  These are reinforced through visits from authorities such as the police and fire service and during school subjects such as P.E. when the children begin to understand the need for rules to enable a game to be played well and fairly.

Individual liberty

We promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs across many aspects of school life.  We ensure children have a safe environment in which they can make choices and express views in a range of situations such as choosing a learning challenge or activity, choosing how to record their learning and choosing activities for reward afternoons.

Mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

Ditcheat Primary School is not in an area that is rich is cultural diversity therefore ensuring that children develop an understanding and respect for different faiths and beliefs is vital.

Two of our mission statements focus on this:

• We will teach our children to be respectful, responsible, resilient and to embrace other people’s differences.
• We will work closely within our local community to raise the aspirations of our children and the wider community to broaden our children’s understanding of the world and their place in it.

Through many aspects of our curriculum, we explore and celebrate differences.   We do this through assemblies, religious education, geography, history, art, English and personal, social and health education.