British Values statement
Newbold Church of England Primary School is committed to serving the community of Newbold, its parish and its surrounding areas. It recognizes the multi-cultural, multi faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom, and therefore those it serves. It also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalization by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.
Our school, as a ‘Church of England School’, accepts admissions from all those entitled to an education under British law, including pupils of all faiths or none. It follows the policies outlined by its governing body regarding equal opportunities, which guarantee that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. It seeks to serve all.
The government emphasises that all schools should ensure that they teach pupils about British values. We take every opportunity to promote the fundamental British values of:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
Through the promotion of these values, our school aims to ensure pupils:
- Understand the democratic process and how citizens can have a say in decision making.
- Recognise the advantages of living under the rule of law and how law is essential for a safe society.
- Understand that there is a separation of power between the executive and the judiciary and why it exists.
- Understand the reasons for accountability of institutions and why courts maintain independence.
- Know why freedom of religion protects all faiths, as well as those with no faith.
- Accept that people who hold different religious beliefs should be tolerated and not discriminated against.
- Value the importance of identifying and combatting extremism.
We promote British values both within and beyond the classroom and these values are at the heart of our ethos. Here are just some of the ways our school seeks to embed the teaching of British values.
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Democracy |
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Democracy is demonstrated through the pupils having the opportunity to vote and select committee members. Pupils are encouraged to write their own manifestos and consider how they can make a difference to the school. Pupil voice is high on our agenda as a school and children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. We have a School Ambassadors and the pupils are able to feedback regularly to their class nominated council member. In addition, children have the opportunity to talk to leaders via active roles on Eco Club, Anti Bullying Team, Worship Team, Tech Team and Art Specialists. Democracy is explained in assembly and the children are encouraged to follow the news in relation to voting, with children given opportunities to debate the issues currently being addressed. Pupils in Year 6 have the opportunity to debate within the Council Chambers. This is supported by the work prior to this on debates and balanced arguments. Pupils are encouraged to debate and discuss ideas regularly in PSHE work.
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The rule of law |
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The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind law enforcement, that they govern and protect us, and the responsibilities that these involve and the consequences that can occur when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police; Fire Service; Ambulance staff etc. help to reinforce this message. |
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Individual liberty |
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Individual Liberty: 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 pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our Online Safety and PSHE lessons. Pupils are given the freedom to make choices, whether through choice of challenge, how they record their work, or their individual participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities. Assemblies regularly promote ‘respect’, and pupils have been part of discussions related to what this means and how it is shown. Staff and school ambassadors promote respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our behaviour policy. Additional support is given to individual pupils to help develop self–esteem and the concept of respect, including a focussed nurture provision for key pupils.
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Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs |
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Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs is achieved through enhancing pupils’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. We have visits from local clergy as well as church members. We value first hand experiences and as a result we seek to build tolerance and respect of different faiths and beliefs through the study of a variety of faith buildings. We use assemblies to explore and understand the similarities between religions. Curriculum topics include learning about and, most importantly, from other faiths and misconceptions between religions are addressed as well as prejudices that have been expressed by the community. Assemblies / acts of worships and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying are regularly held. We use ‘Understanding Christianity’ units to enhance our teaching. Pupils understand, appreciate and respect difference in the world through the curriculum provided, charity events and acts of worship. The celebration of difference is demonstrated through a range of resources e.g. books and artefacts from varying cultures. Visits to cross culture centres such as Derby allows the pupils to see the similarities and differences between our community neighbours. As well as celebrating differences, more importantly we encourage our pupils to acknowledge what we have in common. Pupils engage with views, beliefs and opinions that are different from their own in considered ways. They show respect for the different protected characteristics as defined in law and no forms of discrimination are tolerated.
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Should you feel that the school is not meeting this requirement, you should contact the school office and request to express your concerns with the Head teacher. Likewise, if you feel that anyone working at the school is, intentionally or otherwise undermining these values, you should report this to the Head teacher.
The school does, though a wide range of activities, secure such standards and uses strategies within the National Curriculum and beyond to secure appropriate outcomes for chilldren. The list above outlines samples of when and where such British Values are shared. The list is not exhaustive, and represents only some of what we do. Other such examples of opportunities where British values can be shared and discussed are:
Subject studies: Developing the skill base required to access/share information, make/express opinions or decisions and apply themselves to society and the world. This include the understanding and use of money, effective writing and reading skills, collaborative work to discuss and research ideas and concepts, and gain a broad and balanced understanding of the society in which they live. Further aspects of study include historical and geographical contexts of the United Kingdom, incorporating local and national evolution, as well as international comparisons.
Whole school daily acts of collective worship: The sharing of stories, images, events and expectations that, with clarity and precision, promote the values expressed. Such proceedings vary in the methodology of delivery in order to secure interest and understanding and are designed to impact on children regardless of knowledge, experience or cognitive maturity. As a ‘Church of England School’, ‘collective worship’ is Christian in denomination but recognizes that those attending may have a wide range of faiths, or none.
Religious Education: Gaining a greater understanding of religious diversity and practices, which covers key religions represented in the UK.
Physical Education: Promotion of the concept of ‘fair play’, following and developing rules, inclusion, celebrating and rewarding success, being magnanimous in defeat and participation in activities that promote kinship and affiliation with others.
For more information about how the school seeks to represent key British Values, contact the school office and a member of the School Leadership Team will be happy to provide further information, or click here for a detailed overview of British values in our PSHE curriculum.
Page last updated August 2023