British Values at Mount C of E Primary School

We believe that social and emotional development is shaped by early experiences and relationships and incorporates elements of equality and British and universal values. The curriculum and learning experiences we offer at Mount C of E Primary fully support children’s earliest skill development.  This ensures that they can become social citizens in an age-appropriate way, that is, so that they are able to listen and attend to instructions; know the difference between right and wrong; recognise similarities and differences between themselves and others; make and maintain friendships; develop empathy and consideration of other people; take turns in play and conversation; avoid risk and take notice of rules and boundaries; learn not to hurt/upset other people with words and actions; understand the consequences of hurtful/discriminatory behaviour.

Weekly assembly themes cover issues which support British Values and children are all able to attend and participate in these.  Senior Leaders offer inspirational and thought provoking ideas which can then be discussed further in the classroom.  This structure has been well-embedded for a number of years at Mount C of E Primary.

The fundamental British values of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs are implicitly embedded in our school.

• Democracy, or making decisions together (through the prime area of Personal, Social and Emotional Development) :
  • As part of the focus on self-confidence and self-awareness, teachers encourage children to see their role in the bigger picture, encouraging them to know that their views count, to value each other’s views and values, and talk about their feelings, for example, recognising when they do or do not need help.
  • Teachers support the decisions that children make and provide activities that involve turn-taking, sharing and collaboration. Children are given opportunities to develop enquiring minds in an atmosphere where questions are valued.

• Rule of law, or understanding that rules matter (through the prime area of Personal, Social and Emotional Development) :
  • Teachers ensure that children understand their own and others’ behaviour and its consequence.
  • Teachers collaborate with children to create rules and the codes of behaviour, for example, the rules about tidying up, and ensure that all children understand rules apply to everyone.

• Individual liberty, or freedom for all (through the prime areas of Personal, Social and Emotional Development, and Understanding the World) :
  • Children should develop a positive sense of themselves. Staff provide opportunities for children to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and increase their confidence in their own abilities, for example through allowing children to take risks on an obstacle course, mixing colours, talking about their experiences and learning.
  • Teachers encourage a range of experiences that allow children to explore the language of feelings and responsibility, reflect on their differences and understand we are free to have different opinions.

• Mutual respect and tolerance, or treating others as you want to be treated (through the prime areas of Personal, Social and Emotional Development, and Understanding the World) :
  • Teachers create an ethos of inclusivity and tolerance where views, faiths, cultures and races are valued and children are engaged with the wider community.
  • Children should acquire tolerance, appreciation and respect for their own and other cultures; know about similarities and differences between themselves and others, and among families, faiths, communities, cultures and traditions.
  • Teachers encourage and explain the importance of tolerant behaviours, such as sharing and respecting other’s opinions.
  • Teachers promote diverse attitudes and challenge stereotypes, for example, sharing stories that reflect and value the diversity of children’s experiences and providing resources and activities that challenge gender, cultural or racial stereotyping.

At Mount C of E Primary, it is not acceptable to:

• actively promote intolerance of other faiths, cultures and races
• fail to challenge gender stereotypes and routinely segregate girls and boys
• isolate children from their wider community
• fail to challenge behaviours (whether of staff, children or parents) that are not in line with the fundamental British values of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs