British Values

At Dane Bank Primary, we recognise the importance of preparing children for life in modern Britain and promoting values that are an integral part of 21st century British society.

We actively promote British Values across all subject areas and they also form the basis of our Key Stage assemblies. 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 are subject to the law.

We aim to widen the children’s knowledge and experience of what is relevant today to support them in making informed choices. In PSHE, RE and other curriculum lessons, pupils take part in regular debates and discussions. E-safety sessions also promote the importance of children making informed choices about keeping themselves safe.

The Fundamental British Values are:

  • Democracy
  • Rule of Law
  • Individual Liberty
  • Mutual Respect
  • Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

Through our teaching of the Fundamental British Values, we want to children to develop:

  • an understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process
  • an understanding that the freedom to hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law
  • an acceptance that people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour
  • an understanding of the importance of identifying and combatting discrimination

 

Democracy

Intent: What does ‘Democracy’ mean to us at Dane Bank?

Democracy is defined as being a culture built upon freedom and equality, where everyone is aware of their rights and responsibilities. This refers to a group of people having equal rights and the freedom to choose how to be treated, rather than when one person has all the power and makes all the decisions. At Dane Bank, we value the importance of the democratic process as we believe that everyone, including children, should have the right for their voice to be heard and the opportunity to contribute to school development. We promote the democratic process throughout school to teach our pupils that: They are always listened to and feel they can share their ideas, thoughts, and opinions; Listening carefully to and showing concern for others is of high importance; Every individual has the right to their opinions and voices to be heard and respected and personal and social responsibility is fundamental to everyday life.

The Rule of Law

Intent: What does ‘Rule of Law’ mean to us at Dane Bank?

The rule of law is defined as the framework and rules that underpins our society to make a happy, safe and secure environment to live and work. This refers to the rules and laws put in place throughout society by governments, policy, places of work, parents, teachers, and individual citizens to regulate behaviour and avoid conflict or harm. At Dane Bank, we value the importance of establishing and promoting clear ground rules and boundaries as well as following national laws to ensure that our school setting is a happy, safe, and peaceful environment for everyone. We recognise that in order for laws to be effective, it is our duty, alongside parents/carers, to teach the children respectful and positive behaviours and to consider the consequences of breaking rules or demonstrating inappropriate behaviour and actions. We promote the rule of law to teach our pupils that: Rules and laws obtain and continue a balanced level of safety, fairness, order, and justice; Rules and laws form the basis of our legal system; We all have human rights which should be respected and protected; We all have a part to play in abiding by rules and following the law.

Individual Liberty

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education.  Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our computing and PSHE lessons. Whether it be through choice of learning challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect and Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs

Intent: What does ‘Mutual Respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs’ mean to us at Dane Bank?

Mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs is defined as having an understanding that people do not all share the same beliefs and values and that respecting the values, ideas and beliefs of others, whilst not imposing our own onto them, is vital. At Dane Bank, mutual respect and tolerance is essential to forming healthy relationships and we therefore ensure that promoting this is at the heart of everything we do. Mutual respect and tolerance is referenced daily through our school’s core values. We recognise that in order to create a respectful and tolerant culture around school, teachers have the duty to model positive, respectful relationships, behaviour, and communication to ensure that children reflect the same. We promote mutual respect and tolerance throughout school to teach our pupils that: Diversity is something to be celebrated and embraced; We should respect an individual’s difference which may be linked to their race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, disability, health, values and family structure or background; It is important to tackle stereotyping, labelling, prejudice, and discriminatory behaviours; Safe, positive, and healthy relationships are created where mutual respect and tolerance is reflected.

Individual Liberty

Intent: What does ‘Individual Liberty’ mean to us at Dane Bank?

Individual liberty is defined as the right to believe, act, and express oneself freely. It provides everyone with the protection of their rights and the rights of others. At Dane Bank, we value the importance of children’s and adult’s individuality and encourage children to express themselves freely and creatively. Every child in our school is valued as an individual and we aim to allow their unique personalities, beliefs, and opinions to shine through. As staff we pride ourselves on knowing the children very well and ensure we celebrate their different gifts and talents not only within the classroom setting but whole-school environment. We promote individual liberty throughout our school to ensure we teach our children that: Everyone is special and unique no matter their differences; Diversity is something to be celebrated and embraced; It is important to express ourselves freely; Sharing our beliefs, thoughts, opinions, and personality is important and will be valued without judgement; Risk-taking is something to be encouraged.

 

We have carefully mapped the Fundamental British Values across our curriculum which can be seen below:

(click image to open file)

Equality & Diversity

The Equality Act 2010 combined nine separate pieces of legislation into one single Act simplifying the law and strengthening it in important ways to help tackle discrimination and inequality.

The Act introduced 9 protected characteristics;

  • Age
  • Disability
  • Gender reassignment
  • Marriage and civil partnership
  • Race
  • Religion and belief
  • Sex
  • Sexual orientation
  • Pregnancy and maternity

As a school we do not prejudice and are fully inclusive and supportive of our whole learning community.