How does Ledbury Primary School uphold and teach British Values?

The definition of British Values was set out by the government in the 2011 Prevent Strategy and added to Ofsted inspection guidance in July 2014:

‘To create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote fundamental British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.’

At Ledbury Primary School, we uphold and teach pupils about the British Values throughout all aspects of our Belonging, Being and Becoming Curriculum and practices: through Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE), Religious Education (RE) and through spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. We also teach the British Values through planning and delivering a broad and balanced curriculum. We value each child and their contribution to our school community and recognise the importance of each individual's development and wellbeing. The school takes opportunities to actively promote British Values through our whole school systems and structures such as electing and running a successful School Council. We also actively promote British Values through ensuring that our curriculum planning and delivery includes real opportunities for exploring these values. Actively promoting British Values also means challenging pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views. At Ledbury Primary School, these values are regularly promoted through high quality teaching, a rounded programme of assemblies and a positive behaviour policy allowing pupils to develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will enable them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.

Democracy

Democracy is an important value at our school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council. The elections of members are based on pupil votes. Each class elects two people to represent their views.

Rule of Law

The importance of laws and rules, whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days. Pupils 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. Pupils learn about consequences of actions, their rights and responsibilities that come with those rights. Through this we consistently promote our high expectations of all at Ledbury Primary School. 

Individual Liberty

Pupils are actively encouraged to make choices at our school, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we encourage and support our children to make choices safely, through the provision of a nurturing environment and planned curriculum. 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 e-Safety teaching and RSHE lessons. They are given opportunities to resolve conflicts effectively, and are supported by staff when needed.

Tolerance of those of different Faiths and Beliefs

Our community is made up of people from a wide range of backgrounds. We aim to promote the understanding and appreciation of different faiths and cultures both within our school and the wider world. We actively monitor and tackle all forms of bullying and harassment.

Mutual Respect

We believe that respect for others is a vital component of moral development. We encourage open discussions in all areas but particularly in lessons which promote citizenship such as RSHE. We actively support all to develop their own reasoned views about moral and ethical issues. We encourage all pupils to understand that they have rights and responsibilities as citizens within Ledbury Primary School and the wider community.