British Values
Schools ‘must actively promote British values’ – DfE
Schools in England are required by the government to actively promote fundamental British values to their pupils, both in lessons and in extracurricular activities.
British Values at CTK
The government set out their definition of the British values in the 2011 Prevent strategy, and they were reinforced in 2014.
The British values are:
- Democracy - helps us to have our voices heard, to be treated fairly and encourage fair processes and systems.
- Rule of Law - helps us to know the difference between right and wrong, take responsibility for our actions and understand how following rules helps us to stay safe.
- Individual Liberty - helps us to have freedom of choice and respectfully express views and beliefs in a safe environment. It helps us to feel good about ourselves.
- Mutual respect and Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs - helps us to show empathy for and understand one another, especially those who are different from us. It helps to create happy and healthy communities.
British values are ideas or thoughts which are considered important in helping us all to live happy, healthy, and safe lives in modern British society.
British values encourage us all to live as rights-respecting citizens and celebrate the diversity of our nation. They help everyone to have their rights respected and live happy, safe and healthy lives in which they have the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
At CTK Primary School, these values are reflected within our school mission, and we reinforce them through the life of our school.
Promoting British Values.
At CTK, Spiritual, Moral and Cultural Development of pupils is important to us and one way in which we foster this is by promoting our ‘Gospel Values’ alongside our British Values. We create a yearly Catholic Social Teaching Plan which links Catholic Social Teaching, the Catholic Schools Pupil Profile and British Values (see below).
Our policies, procedures and daily teaching are underpinned by these values. We also we aim to actively promote the values by challenging opinions or behaviours in our school that are contrary to fundamental British values. This ensures our pupils understand the importance of respect and leave Christ the King Primary School fully prepared for life in modern Britain.
Our teachers are expected to “uphold public trust in the profession and maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour, within and outside school. This includes not undermining fundamental British values.”
Not only does our collective worship reinforce these values, as does our broad curriculum. The British values are taught through PSHE, SMSC and RE, and are reinforced through subjects such as history and geography.
When asked why British Values are important, our children responded:
“They help us to live in harmony” – Elliot, Year 3.
“They help us to keep safe.” – Odin, Year 5.
“They help us to learn about other people, religions and cultures.” – Megan, Year 6.
“They help us to be the best that we can be.” – Isla, Year 3
