What are British Values?

British Values underpin what it is to be a citizen in a modern and diverse Great Britain valuing our community and celebrating diversity of the UK. Fundamental British Values are not exclusive to being British and are shared by other democratic countries as a way of creating an orderly society, where individual members can feel safe, valued and can contribute for the good of themselves and others.

We promote British Values to reflect life in modern Britain. These values are: Individual Liberty, Rule of Law, Democracy, Mutual Respect and Tolerance.  In all our provision, both academic and otherwise, we endeavour for our diverse school community to develop an understanding of British values and a strong desire to uphold them both now and as future British citizens. 

• We want to help our children prepare for adult life as citizens of Britain by
• Developing their self-confidence and self-esteem.
• Developing their understanding of right and wrong, and their respect for the law.
• Encouraging them to take responsibility for their behaviour.
• Encouraging involvement in the community and wider society.
• Encouraging respect for the public services and institutions of Britain.
• Promoting tolerance of and respect for all cultures and faiths.
• Encouraging participation in the democratic process. 

Protection of your rights and the rights of others around you. To encourage Individual Liberty at Alwoodley Primary School we:

• Encourage and empower our pupils to make their own choices and grow in independence, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.
• Support pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem, self-confidence through a variety of activities, awards and our day to day interactions and environment.
• Encourage pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour, as well as knowing their rights.
• Model freedom of speech through pupil participation, while ensuring protection of vulnerable pupils
• Challenge stereotypes through PSHE lessons, discussions, assemblies and within resources and our environments.
• Implement a strong anti-bullying culture.

The need for rules to make a happy, safe and secure environment to live and work. To encourage Rule of Law at Alwoodley Primary School we:

• Ensure school rules and expectations are clear and fair
• Each class create their own class rules at the beginning of the year
• Help pupils to distinguish right from wrong
• Within our PSHE curriculum pupils are taught the value of and reasons behind laws- that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences of breaking laws. 
• Explore laws and what to do if peer pressure is trying to persuade children to break these during PSHE lessons.

A culture built upon freedom and equality, where everyone is aware of their rights and responsibilities. To encourage Democracy at Alwoodley Primary School we:

• Hold class voting for class council meetings
• Teach pupils how they can influence decision-making through the democratic process
• Regularly look at this through assemblies and our school curriculum
• Teach topics that look at Democracy within different societies (for example in Year 5 they learn about the government and society within Athens) 
• Encourage pupils to become involved in decision-making processes and ensure they are listened to in school (for example our class council meetings feed into action teams which pupils lead)
• Encourage pupils to express their views through open discussions, pupil interviews and lessons
• Model how perceived injustice can be peacefully challenged.

Understanding that we all don’t share the same beliefs and values. Respecting those values, ideas and beliefs of others whilst not imposing our own onto them. To encourage mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs at Alwoodley Primary School we:

• Aim for all pupils within our diverse school to accept one another and learn about events, festivals and beliefs that are important to members of our school community.
• Explore positive role models through assemblies and topics
• Challenge any prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour
• Our RE scheme ensures that our children have a good understanding of a range of religious beliefs and customs;
• Help pupils to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life. 
• Invite to school and work with representatives from different groups, such as charities, artists, musicians etc.

If you have any questions regarding the curriculum we teach please contact the school directly.