Promoting British Values At Little Munden School

The DfE has recently 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.”

Little Munden Primary School’s core values were developed in partnership with staff, pupils and governors.  Our overarching values of Caring, Knowing and Respect at Sharing, run through the school’s ethos.

The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated by the Prime Minister this year.  At Little Munden School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy:

Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council and pupil questionnaires.  Class rules are devised and agreed by every member of a class.

The Rule of Law:

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. Pupils take part in creating class rules. They are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.

Individual Liberty:

From entering in Reception through to Year 6 pupils are actively encouraged to develop independence and make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. Pupils have regular opportunities to make choices through the school day, week and year.  Whether it be through choice of challenge during lessons (warm, hot, scorching and volcanic work), of how they record their ideas, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect:

All of our school ethos revolves around our core values.  Posters around the school promote respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our behaviour policy.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:

This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.