Weston Village Primary SchoolBritish Values
Promoting Fundamental British Values at Weston Village Primary School
At Weston Village Primary School, we want children to become responsible, respectful and active citizens who are well prepared for life in modern Britain and the wider world.
Our school ethos, Be the Best You Can Be, reflects our commitment to helping pupils develop the knowledge, confidence and values they need to contribute positively to their communities.
We actively promote the Fundamental British Values identified by the Department for Education:
Democracy
The Rule of Law
Individual Liberty
Mutual Respect
Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
These values are not taught as a one-off topic. They are developed through our curriculum, assemblies, relationships, pupil leadership, safeguarding work and the everyday life of the school.
Democracy
Children at Weston learn that their views matter and that they can contribute to decisions which affect them.
Opportunities include:
electing and participating in School Ambassador and other pupil leadership roles
contributing to pupil voice activities
expressing views about learning, play, school improvement and wider opportunities
discussing different viewpoints respectfully
learning how democratic decisions are made in Britain.
Through these experiences, children begin to understand how citizens can influence decisions and why democratic processes matter.
The Rule of Law
Children learn that rules and laws exist to protect people, promote fairness and support safe communities.
We help pupils understand:
why school rules and expectations exist
the relationship between rights, responsibilities and consequences
how laws are made and upheld
why laws apply to everyone
how public services and community organisations help keep people safe.
This understanding is reinforced through PSHE, assemblies, safeguarding education and appropriate visits or work with services such as the police and fire service.
Individual Liberty
Children are encouraged to develop confidence, independence and the ability to make safe and informed choices.
We teach pupils that individual freedom comes with responsibilities towards other people.
This includes learning about:
personal choice and responsibility
online safety and digital citizenship
healthy relationships and consent at an age-appropriate level
expressing opinions appropriately
making choices about participation, interests and wider opportunities
knowing when and how to seek help.
Through PSHE, RSHE, myHappymind and our wider personal-development curriculum, children develop self-awareness, resilience and confidence while learning to respect the rights of others.
Mutual Respect
Respect is central to life at Weston.
Children are expected to treat others with kindness, fairness and dignity, even where opinions, backgrounds or experiences are different.
This is reinforced through:
our school values and Secrets of Success
positive relationships between pupils and adults
cooperative learning and teamwork
OPAL play and mixed-age interaction
pupil leadership and buddy roles
PSHE, RSHE and assemblies
the way staff model respectful disagreement and discussion.
We teach children that disagreement is normal, but prejudice, discrimination and disrespect are not.
Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs
Weston serves a community which is less culturally and religiously diverse than some parts of the country. We therefore take particular care to ensure that children encounter and understand the diversity of modern Britain.
Through Religious Education, PSHE, literature, assemblies, visitors and the wider curriculum, pupils learn about different religions, beliefs, cultures and ways of life.
Children are taught that:
people are free to hold different faiths and beliefs, or no religious belief
these freedoms are protected in law
difference should not lead to prejudice or discrimination
respectful curiosity and discussion are important
stereotypes and discriminatory attitudes should be challenged.
This goes beyond learning about individual festivals. We want children to develop genuine understanding of different communities and perspectives.
British Values Across the Curriculum
Fundamental British Values are developed throughout the curriculum from EYFS to Year 6.
For example, pupils learn about:
belonging, fairness and community
rules, responsibilities and decision-making
democracy and government
rights and freedoms
different faiths, beliefs and cultures
equality and discrimination
respectful relationships
local, national and global citizenship.
As children move through school, these ideas are revisited with increasing depth and complexity.
Pupil Voice and Active Citizenship
We want children not simply to learn about citizenship, but to experience it.
Pupils have opportunities to:
represent others through school leadership roles
contribute ideas about school life
take responsibility within the school community
participate in charitable and community activity
discuss issues that matter to them
learn how individuals and groups can bring about positive change.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Our promotion of British Values is closely linked to our commitment to equality, inclusion and safeguarding.
We teach children to respect other people and to understand that discrimination or prejudice relating to characteristics such as disability, race, religion or belief, sex and other protected characteristics is unacceptable.
Children are encouraged to question stereotypes, listen to different perspectives and treat people fairly.
Preventing Extremism and Radicalisation
Promoting Fundamental British Values also forms part of our safeguarding responsibilities under the Prevent Duty.
Age-appropriate teaching helps pupils develop the knowledge, confidence and critical thinking needed to recognise harmful or extremist ideas and to understand that disagreement and debate should take place within democratic and lawful boundaries.
School staff are trained to recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns, including concerns relating to radicalisation or extremism.
Challenging Views Contrary to British Values
At Weston, we will challenge language, behaviour or views which undermine Fundamental British Values or promote prejudice, discrimination or extremism.
At the same time, we recognise the importance of allowing children to encounter different viewpoints and learn how to discuss potentially controversial issues appropriately, respectfully and impartially.
Find Out More
You can read the Department for Education guidance here:
Promoting Fundamental British Values through SMSC
If you have any questions about how we promote British Values at Weston Village Primary School, please contact the school office or speak to Mr Cutts, Headteacher.