St Matthew's C of E Primary School and Nursery

British Values

St Matthew’s C of E Primary School and Nursery is committed to serving its community. We recognise the multi-cultural, multi-faith nature of the UK and understand the important role our school plays in promoting 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, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.”

The British Values are:

  • Democracy

    Britain is a democracy - this means that the people in Britain vote for the people who make the laws and decide how the country is run.

    Rule of Law

    In Britain we have a police force and court system who make sure people do not do the wrong thing and break the law. They have the power to punish those who do so, keeping us safe.

    Individual Liberty

    We are free to live as we choose and to have our own opinions as long as this does not take away someone else's freedoms or break rules our laws.

    Mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs

    We accept and respect that other people might have different beliefs to ours. They may believe in different religions or no religion at all. 

    How Do We Promote British Values?

    Democracy

    • We let pupils know their views count and encourage everyone to value each other’s opinions and values.
    • Pupils as leaders are a key feature at our school. We have a Pupil Parliament, Reading Ambassadors, Collective Worship Councillors
    • We provide activities that involve turn-taking, sharing and collaboration
    • We give pupils opportunities to develop enquiring minds by creating an atmosphere where all questions are valued
    • We take part in opportunities for children to vote.

    Rule of Law

    • We ensure that pupils understand their own and others’ behaviour and its consequences, helping them to distinguish right from wrong
    • The children understand and uphold our three school rules, Respect, Hope, Courage and the rules of our society.

    Individual Liberty

    • We provide opportunities for pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and increase their confidence in their own abilities, for example, through allowing children to take risks and talking about their experiences and learning
    • We encourage a range of experiences that allow pupils to explore the language of feelings and responsibility, reflect on their differences and understand everyone is free to have different opinions

    Mutual Respect and Tolerance

    • We encourage and explain to children about the importance of tolerant behaviours, such as sharing and respecting each other’s opinions
    • We promote diverse attitudes and challenge stereotypes, for example, by sharing stories that reflect and value the diversity of pupil’s experiences
    • We provide resources and activities that challenge gender, cultural and racial stereotyping
    • We create an ethos of inclusivity and tolerance where views, faiths, cultures and races are valued
    • We arrange visits whereby children can engage with the wider community
    • We encourage pupils to acquire a tolerance, appreciation and respect for their own and other cultures by discussing with children the similarities and differences between themselves and others; and among families, faiths, communities, cultures and traditions
    • We share and discuss practices, celebrations and experiences

 

Our school Statement on British Values

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