As well as our school values, underpinning everything we do at Stathern are the British Values, we aim to uphold.
The DfE have recently reinforced the need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.”
At Stathern Primary School, these fundamental British values are promoted and embedded into all parts of school life.
Our Values and our British Values and Citizenship policy reflects these values, ensuring that all members of our school understand the importance of these values and how they are essential to enable us to operate as a community.
1. Respect for the Rule of Law
Respect for the rule of law means that everyone in society is treated equally and fairly, and that everyone follows the same rules and laws. This value promotes a sense of order and stability in society, and helps to prevent crime and other harmful behaviors. The UK justice system is a large part of this, including laws, police officers and courts.
2. Individual Liberty
Individual liberty allows people to pursue their own goals and interests, providing they do not harm others. This British value is based on the idea that people should be free to make their own decisions and choices within the bounds of the law, of course.
3. Democracy
Democracy is the foundation of the UK's political system. This value is based on the idea that everyone should have an equal say in how their country is run, and that the government should be accountable to the people. All things voting, elections and referendums come in to play here.
4. Mutual Respect and Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs
There is some confusion around the fourth British Value, which is often split into two: (1) Mutual respect and (2) tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. Whether you view these as one whole, or as two individual values, they both promote understanding and acceptance of people from different backgrounds and with different beliefs, and help to create a more inclusive and diverse society.
Why should schools teach British Values?
Schools in the UK have a responsibility to promote British Values, as outlined in the Department for Education's British Values guidance (last updated in 2014). This means that teaching and learning about British values should be an integral part of the school experience, and should be reflected in all aspects of school life.
For schools in the UK, British Values refers to a set of values that the government believes are important for children to learn. They include respect for the rule of law, individual liberty, democracy, and mutual respect for and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. The promotion of these values in schools is part of the government's efforts to create a more cohesive and integrated society, as well as a way to protect children from extremist ideologies.
The promotion of British Values began after the terrorist attacks in London in 2005. After the attacks, the government introduced a number of policies and initiatives aimed at promoting British values in schools, including the PREVENT program, designed to prevent radicalization and extremism.
Intentions:
- To enable pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence;
- To enable pupils to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of Britain;
- To encourage pupils to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and to society more widely;
- To enable pupils to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in Britain;
- To further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling pupils to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures;
- To encourage respect for other people;
- To encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in Britain.
