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 Hill Top School 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.

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 school core values:

• We respect (ourselves and others)
• We are kind (to ourselves and others)
• We belong (to our school, community, and wider world)
• We are ambitious (for ourselves and others)

Supports the teaching of British Values  in all aspects of our provision.   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 and global citizens.

What is meant by British Values?

Learning about British Values forms a key part of children’s spiritual, moral, cultural and social education. The five British Values that the Government has identified for schools to focus on are:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
• Developing personal and social responsibility
• Respect for British Institutions

How should 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.

How does our school develop children’s understanding of British Values?

We uphold the British Value of Democracy by:

• Facilitating a democratic process by running a student council.
• Listening and acting on pupil voice
• Participating in Pupil Led Learning and developing new skills sets
• teaching about the democratic process in Britain, at both a local and national level. We teach about communities and pressure groups, how children can participate in these and make changes to life at all levels from local to global.
• taking turns in class, at dinner time and in after school clubs.

We uphold the British Value of the Rule of Law by:

• teaching children an understanding of human rights.
• teaching children to learn about the process of law-making and the part that citizens can play in that process.
• implementing our procedures and protocols for dealing with any behavioural or bullying issues and the very rare incidents of racial, homophobic and other forms of discrimination, which demonstrates to pupils that we take these issues very seriously, mirroring the attitudes of British society.
• Applying situations to real life applications

We uphold the British Value of individual liberty and work to identify and combat discrimination by:

• teaching an understanding of the concept of freedom and choice (with rights come responsibilities)
• teaching our RE curriculum, which incorporates values of understanding, tolerance and respect for others, including those of other faiths.
• teaching children an understanding of human rights
  holding discussions in RE, English and other subjects, which allow children to develop respect for the opinions, values and beliefs of others.
• Participating in local and national events to support diversity and inclusion

We uphold the British Value of developing personal and social responsibility by:

• encouraging children to have responsibility for their own possessions, behaviour and work, both at school and at home and to always do their personal best in all aspects of school life.
• training staff to deliver information about keeping safe on the internet to all our children.
• Use restorative practise (where appropriate)

We uphold the British Value of respect for British Institutions by:

• celebrating many multi-cultural festivals and special events, as well as e.g. Remembrance Day, November 5th, Christmas, Easter, World Book Day, Children in Need, Red-nose day, Autism Awareness, prise, Black History Month, Show Racism the Red Card, Anti Bullying, Mental Health Awareness etc.
• regularly inviting representatives from various groups, such as Police, charities and the local church to visit our school and talk to the children in both lessons and assemblies.
• Go out and visit our local communities
• teaching about the structure and work of Parliament (where appropriate), keeping children informed of major and minor events which can be discussed.