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 

British Values

The DfE state 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.” The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values were reiterated in 2014.

Democracy:

Children have many opportunities to have their voice heard. We have a School Council, Worship Leaders and Ambassadors who meet to discuss class and whole school issues taken from class suggestion boxes. The sports crew actively go out and research activities and sports that the pupils would like to take part in. From their surveys they then set up activities/competitions that take place during lunch hours and end of term PE lessons. The children publish the results on their sports board and their termly news. Children complete an annual questionnaire so they are able to put forward their views about the school.

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 regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Pupils are taught the rules of the school from Reception class. We are also undertaking the UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools Awards, where children will be able to learn and articulate their rights. Teachers and pupils decide on class rules at the beginning of the school year. 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. Annual visits from the police and fire brigade reinforce this message. We are also taking part in the Kent Police Mini Cadet Programme. 

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 children 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 Online Safety 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. We are a school of Sanctuary and work with the charity Samphire. 

Mutual Respect:

Mutual respect is embedded in our values: Listening, Encouraging, Forgiveness, Thoughtful, Patient and Sharing. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect. Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs Charlton CE Primary School is a faith school with a strongly inclusive ethos. We actively promote diversity and celebrate the individual through Collective Worship, Religious Education and PSHE lessons. The messages of tolerance and respect for others are reinforced through learning across the curriculum. The RSSA Award will also be pivotal in developing the concept of mutual respect as children begin to understand their rights and place in the wider world.