British Values

Promoting fundamental British values

Schools are required to promote British values.

“The Teachers’ Standards expect teachers to uphold public trust in the profession and maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour... This includes not undermining fundamental British values”. (Ref: DfE document November 2014).

References:

• DfE advice: Promoting fundamental British values as part of SMSC in schools, November 2014
• Ofsted School Inspection Handbook

It is expected that British values will be taught through the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development aspect of the curriculum (SMSC).

These values are defined as:

1. Respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic process
2. Respect for the basis on which law is made and applies in England
3. Support for equality of opportunity for all
4. Support and respect for the liberties of all within the law

5. Respect for and tolerance of different faiths and religious and other beliefs

British values are:

 At Geoffrey Field Infant School, we teach pupils about:

• right and wrong – “..it is expected that pupils should 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.” (Ref DfE document). Schools should not teach anything that undermines that.
• From above - pupils should be able to recognise the difference between right and wrong and respect the civil and criminal law of England following the rules so that all are safe
• fairness
• being tolerant
• having a voice – how to affect the decision making process
• being safe
• understanding the consequences of their behaviour and actions
• other religions and cultures as well as British culture
• mutual respect
• taking care with others
• being friendly; being cooperative
• making a contribution
• conflict resolution

• responding to bullying 

We teach these things proactively through the PSHE curriculum (Personal, Social and Health Education), Assemblies, class discussions as well as reactively if incidents occur. British Values are also taught throughout other areas of the curriculum to make contextual, purposeful links.  

Opportunities to promote British values:

• the School Council – all pupils have the opportunity to be part of the School Council; they are elected by fellow class members. They meet regularly and learn about how they can influence decisions in school.
• the RE curriculum- other beliefs
• learning about other culture’s festivals and celebrations as well as British ones
• learning about the history of Britain
• visits from the Police, the Ambulance Service, the Fire Service
• learning about the value of and respect for key public services
• learning about the value of and respect for those in the school who keep us safe and provide for our welfare e.g. all adults, kitchen staff, school  nursing service, Voluntary Reading Helpers etc.
• local visits to places of worship- learning about and developing respect for those in the wider school community

Pupil outcomes

Pupils should:

• develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain

• understand how they can influence the decision making process
• appreciate that living under the rule of law protects individuals and is essential for wellbeing and safety
• know how to resolve conflict peacefully
• show acceptance that others may  have different beliefs to oneself 

• not behave in a prejudicial or discriminatory way