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’.

The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated by the Prime Minister in 2014. At Cathedral Primary School we value and celebrate the diverse heritage of everybody. Alongside this, we value and celebrate being part of Britain. Cathedral Primary School takes opportunities to actively promote British Values through our whole school collective worship, class circle times, PSHE, RE as well as ensuring that our curriculum planning and delivery includes real opportunities for exploring these values with a broad and balanced curriculum.  

At Cathedral Primary School these values are reinforced regularly in the following ways.

Democracy

Democracy is embedded at the school. Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the rights of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. Other examples of ‘pupil voice’ is our pupil questionnaire and Class Charter, where all the children discuss and contribute towards the agreed responsibilities of their class.

The Rule of the Law

The importance of laws whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves, the consequence when laws are broken and to distinguish right from wrong. Visits from authorities such as the Police service play a part in our schools calendar and help reinforces this message.

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 our pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely; examples of this can be seen in our e-safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it is through choice of challenge; of how they record, of participation in our extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect

Respect is one of the core values of our school. Our pupils know and understand that it is expected and imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have and to everything, however big or small. Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around whole school values such as ‘Friendship, Kindness and Respect’, and pupils have discussed through collective worship and class circle time what this means and how it is shown.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Our core value of Respect ensures tolerance of those who have different faiths and beliefs. Cathedral Primary School is a culturally rich and diverse school and we enhance pupils understanding of different faiths and beliefs through PSHE work, classroom circle time, topic work, and collective worship discussions. Members of different faiths are welcomed to come and share their beliefs, traditions and customs so the children gain an enhanced understanding of our culturally diverse society.