Promoting  British Values
 

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

We use strategies within the National curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for pupils.   The examples that follow show some of the many ways Heath Mount Primary School seeks to embed British values.

Democracy

The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced at Heath Mount, with democratic processes being used for important decisions within the school community, for instance, elections being held for School Council positions. The principle of democracy is also explored in the History and Religious Studies curriculum as well as in assemblies.

Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Heath Mount Primary School.
Pupils are taught the rules and expectations of the school,  which are highlighted by the  home school agreement that pupils, parents and the headteacher sign.  Pupils are taught the value and the reasons behind laws that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.  Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service reinforce this message.
Pupils are always helped to distinguish right from wrong.  The Behaviour Policy and anti-bullying Policy sets out a zero tolerance approach to any form of aggression, abuse or violence.

Individual Liberty

Pupils are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Staff at Heath Mount Primary School educate and provide boundaries for pupils to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education.   Pastoral support reinforces the importance of making the right choices.
Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through e-safety and assemblies.

 
Mutual Respect and Tolerance of Those with Difference Faiths and Beliefs

Respect is one of the core values at our school.  Pupils know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone, adults and children.  Pupils 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 and this is reiterated through its teaching and learning environments.
Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum by providing the opportunity for pupils to express their views in a safe environment.  Through their learning, pupils are encouraged to discuss and respect differences between people such as different faith, ethnicity, disability, gender, sexuality and difference of family situations.