British Values

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 this year (2014).  We promote these values through the heart of our practice in school.

Democracy
We at Milverton Primary School value the process of democracy and aim to promote children’s voice in a variety of ways.

Children hold annual elections to vote for their class representative for the School Council. The School Council have been involved in developing our Super Learning behaviours, Our 'Fruits of Milverton' core values, our Golden Rules for positive conduct within school, helping to plan playground re-development, planning and running a number of fundraising events and spending an allocation of the school budget. The views of the children are listened to and acted upon in our school and we take pride in this.

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 have been involved in the process of developing school based laws and rules both within classrooms and within the wider context of school. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws and rules, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws and rules are broken. Annual Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce 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 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 our E-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.

Mutual Respect
As a Community school we base mutual respect at the heart of our values. As one of our 10 'Fruits of Milverton' Core Values we explore the importance of mutual respect through a variety of mediums. Children develop and deliver assemblies around this theme and explore this further through classroom experiences with e-safety, PHSE and RE. 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
The faiths, beliefs and morals we investigate and explore are then developed further through looking at similarities and differences with others. We pride ourselves on cherishing individual differences and seeing the positive effects of differences of opinion. Assemblies are regularly planned with the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures. Our RE and PSHE teaching reinforce this. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. Children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths.

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

Parental Support Information on Prevent

Parental Support Information on radicalisation and extremism