Knutton St Mary’s CE Academy Statement of British Values
In support of the Department for Education (DofE) document: Promoting fundamental British values as part of SMSC in schools, Departmental advice for maintained schools, November 2014.
At Knutton St Mary’s CE academy, we value the diversity of the backgrounds of all pupils, families and the wider school community and strongly believe in upholding British values through all aspects of our school provision and through our academy values.
Community – Respect – Perseverance
The DofE states that there is a 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”.
Our academy reflects British values in all that we do. We aim to nurture our children on their journey through life so they can grow into safe, caring, democratic, responsible and tolerant adults who make a positive difference to British society and to the world and the wider world.
What are British values?
The five British values are:
• democracy
• the rule of law
• individual liberty
• mutual respect
• tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
Knutton St Mary’s CE academy is committed to celebrating the diversity of the UK. We aim to prepare pupils for life in modern Britain and ensure that our school values, ethos, curriculum and approaches to teaching and learning reflect and promote British values.
We recognise that these values are not exclusive to being British and that they have come to be accepted throughout the democratic world as the method of creating an orderly society, in which individual members can feel safe, valued and can contribute to for the good of themselves and others.
We recognise that British values do not give total liberty to individuals or tolerance of all views. Their declared aim is to combat extremism, and so they do not condone attitudes that are discriminatory and not inclusive or loving.
We understand the role that our academy has in helping prevent radicalisation and supporting our pupils in developing a world view, recognising Britain’s place within it.
Opportunities we provide for pupils to understand British values
We take opportunities for pupils to:
• acknowledge, celebrate and commemorate national events and anniversaries related to key events in Britain’s past e.g. Remembrance Sunday
• support a number of charities that are selected by them and arrange fundraising events e.g. Children in need, Comic relief, Christian Aid and UNICEF
• make connections between British values and other curriculum subjects
• make connections between British values, Christian values and worship themes in whole school, class and Clergy led worship.
• explore British values through spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) opportunities.
• explore British values through the personal, social and health education (PSHE) programme of study.
How will we help our children prepare for adult life as citizens of Britain?
• Develop their self-confidence and self-esteem.
• Develop their understanding of right and wrong, and their respect for the law.
• Encourage them to take responsibility for their behaviour.
• Encourage involvement in the community and wider society.
• Encourage respect for the public services and institutions of Britain.
• Promote tolerance of and respect for all cultures and faiths.
• Encourage participation in the democratic process.
In all our provision, both academic and otherwise, we endeavour for our school community to develop an understanding of British values and a strong desire to uphold them both now and as future British citizens.
In support of the DofE document: Promoting fundamental British values as part of SMSC in schools, Departmental advice for maintained schools, November 2014