The Department for Education have 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.”

Department for Education

At Welbourne teaching pupils about British values is an integral part of the curriculum. The rights respecting ethos and provision at Welbourne, ensures that ‘being British’ in a multi-faith, multi-ethnic and mixed socio-economic community is at the heart of all we do. British Values are defined as:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect
• Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

(as published in June 2014 by the Department of Education)

These values are taught explicitly through Personal, Social, Health, and Emotional (PSHE), and Religious Education (RE). We also teach British Values through whole school and key stage assemblies, through our school ethos and through delivering a broad and balanced curriculum, which includes and promotes these values. The school takes opportunities to actively promote British Values through our whole school systems and structures, such as electing school council members.

Actively promoting British values also means challenging pupils, staff and parents to express their opinions, show their understanding of British Values through school celebrations and regular feedback surveys during Parents’ Evenings.

We have a programme of assemblies that reflect British Values and British culture.

Our Class Charters promote respect for each other, collaboration, sharing, asking questions, and understanding rights and responsibilities, which empowers the children to challenge and make decisions. Our pupils have the opportunity to express their views through the School Council (where children are selected by a class vote), pupil interviews and feedback and through their weekly PSHE lessons. Also, Peer Mediators are trained and then work with playground staff to manage and support behaviour, as well as collaborate with each other to make decisions.

Pupils also learn about the meaning of democracy in Upper Key Stage 2 as part of our topic on Ancient Greece and exploring different societies.

Please have a look at our British Values statement to see how these values are promoted at our school.