In accordance with The Department for Education we aim to actively promote British values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. Pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law. Each year the children decide upon their Class charter and the rights associated with these. All children contribute to the drawing up of the charter.

Children also have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. We have an active  School Council with elected representatives from different year groups who meet regularly to discuss a range of topics and issues to ensure we remain a safe and positive community for all.

Picture News assembly resource is used weekly. This is an on-line facility which we buy into. It provides a topical issue with links to British Values. These are discussed weekly during our values assembly led by Mrs D Mylechreest. We have a British Values display in the hall where children are encouraged to look each week to check on the value focus and think about how they can be an active citizen and how they can support their peers.

The Key Values are:

• democracy
• rule of law
• individual liberty
• mutual respect
• tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

How can this be achieved at Thrupp?

Democracy – what do we do?

• Provide pupils with a broad general knowledge of, and promote respect for, public institutions and services
• Teach pupils how they can influence decision-making through the democratic process
• Include in the curriculum information on the advantages and disadvantages of democracy and how it works in Britain
• Encourage pupils to become involved in decision-making processes and ensure they are listened to in school
• Hold ‘elections’ for representatives of the school council, Respect Savers team and more traditional events, so they understand the equality of the process
• Help pupils to express their views through class based debates in order to challenge and defend their views
• Teach pupils how public services operate and how they are held to account
• Model how perceived injustice can be peacefully challenged

Rule of law – what do we do?

• Ensure school rules and expectations are clear and fair based on the agreed school Charters (classroom and playground)
• Help pupils to distinguish right from wrong
• Help pupils to respect the law and the basis on which it is made
• Help pupils to understand that living under the rule of law protects individuals including the pupils’ e-safety contract
• Include visits from the police
• Teach pupils aspects of both civil and criminal law and discuss how this might differ from some religious laws
• Develop approaches to resolve conflicts

Individual liberty – what do we do?

• Support pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence
• 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 and promoting critical analysis of evidence
• Challenge stereotypes
• Implement a strong anti-bullying culture
• Follow the UNICEF rights respecting schools agenda

Respect and tolerance – what do we do?

• Promote respect for individual differences
• Help pupils to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life
• Challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour
• Organise visits to places of worship
• Develop links with faith communities and schools within different environments (School of Scholars, Nagpur, India)
• Develop critical personal thinking skills
• Discuss differences between people, such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, gender or sexuality and differences of family situations, such as children in care or young carers