British Values

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.

The Key Values are:

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

Lew Trenchard Church of England Primary School British Values

At Lew Trenchard Church of England Primary School these values are reinforced in the following ways:

Democracy
At Lew Trenchard Church of England Primary School children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. We have a school council which meets regularly to discuss issues raised in class council meetings. There is a representative from each year group who has been voted in by their class. We also have a school ethos group. Pupils, staff and parents sit on this group. This group then feeds into the governing body.

The Rule of Law
The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout the curriculum, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Collective worship, visits from and to the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message.

Individual Liberty
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 PSHE lessons. Whether it be through choice of learning challenge, of how they record, of participation in extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect
Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. Our school ethos and behaviour policy revolves around values including ‘respect’. During Collective Worship pupils regularly discuss what this means and how this can be shown.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
As a church school, collective worship is fundamentally Christian in character, but recognises that those attending may have a wide range of faiths, or none. Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Collective worship and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice- based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. Lew Trenchard follows the Agreed Devon Syllabus for Religious Education. A copy of the units are on our website.

At Lew Trenchard Church of England Primary School we will actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.