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British Values

British Values

The Education Act (2002) states that schools must promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils and ensure that they are actively promoting fundamental British Values. Guidance from the Department for Education (DfE) in November 2014 highlighted British Values as: Democracy, Rule of Law, Individual Liberty, Mutual Respect, Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.  At Merton Junior School, we understand the definitions of British Values to be:

  • Democracy - Britain is a democracy; this means that the people in Britain vote for the people who make the laws and decide how the country is run. If we didn’t have a democracy, just one person might be able to make all the laws and that would not be fair.
  • The rule of the law - In Britain, we have a police force who make sure people do not do the wrong thing and break the law; this means that we are safe.
  • Individual liberty - In Britain, as long as we do not break the law, we can live as we choose to and have our own opinions about things.
  • Mutual respect - We might not always agree with other people, but we try to show respect for their thoughts and feelings. We can give respect to others and we can expect other people to show us respect.
  • Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs - In Britain, we accept that other people might have different beliefs than ours and they may believe in different religions.

British Values are explored through our rich and varied curriculum which is taught from the start of the children’s learning journey and reflects in all aspects of teaching and learning throughout their time at Merton Junior School.

Each week we use assemblies and class circle times to discuss how the British values feeds into our everyday lives. This is supported by our use of Picture News which links topical, local and worldwide news stories to the values as well as Merton Junior School values as well. 

British Value

How we promote it

Democracy

Links to school values:

  • Respect
  • Class Charters

UN CRC Article 12: Children have the right to say what they think should happen, when adults are making decisions that affect them, and to have their opinions taken into account.

  • We have an elected School Council. This is used as an opportunity to promote and teach democracy and the electoral process.
  • We encourage volunteering in school. This includes things like play leaders, eco council, representing the school in different events (including sports) and Year 6 roles and responsibilities.
  • Each class has a class charter that is created together and agreed on to ensure a safe place to work and learn
  • Democracy is promoted through PDL lessons and assemblies
  • Class decisions are made using democratic voting.

Picture News

The Rule of Law

Links to school values:

  • Respect
  • We have pride in ourselves
  • We do our best and never give up
  • We face new challenges and learn from our mistakes (the learning pit)

UN CRC Article 19: Governments should ensure that children are properly cared for, and protect them from violence, abuse and neglect by their parents, or anyone else who looks after them.

  • We have high expectations about pupil conduct and this is reflected in our Behaviour Policy. There are rewards for exhibiting good behaviour. Consistent demonstration of our values is recognised through certificates, class rewards, raffle tickets and Dojo points and our Friday achievement assembly
  • Through our Circle Time and PDL, children are taught how to earn trust and respect and are supported to develop a strong sense of morality; knowing right from wrong and doing the right thing even when it’s difficult.

Picture News

Individual Liberty

Links to school values:

  • Respect
  • Nurturing
  • Motivation
  • Tenacious
  • We face new challenges and learn from our mistakes
  • We have pride in ourselves

UN CRC Article 31: All children have a right to relax and play, and join in a wide range of activities.

UN CRC Article 15: Children have the right to meet together and join groups and organisations as long as this does not stop other people from enjoying their rights.

  • Through our school values and PDL work, children are taught about personal responsibility, choices, ambition and aspiration.
  • Children are encouraged to take opportunities to follow their interests in art, music, sport etc.
  • Children are taught how to keep themselves safe, including e-safety. This is done through computing lessons, assemblies and outside organisations such as the NSPCC, as well as through the PDL/RSE curriculum

Picture News.

Mutual Respect

Links to school values:

  • Respect
  • Nurturing
  • We face new challenges and learn from our mistakes
  • We have pride in ourselves

UN CRC Article 2: The Convention applies to everyone whatever their race, religion, abilities, whatever they think or say and whatever type of family they come from.

UN CRC Article 30: Children have a right to learn and use the language and customs of their families, whether these are shared by the majority of people in the country or not.

  • We have high expectations about pupil conduct and this is reflected in our Behaviour Policy, SEND policy and Equality Policy.
  • Through our school’s values, PSHE, and Circle Time, children are taught to respect each other, to be cooperative and collaborative, be supportive and to look for similarities while being understanding of differences.
  • We have a wide range of books in the library which promote equality in race, gender, ability, religion, ethnicity etc
  • Mutual respect is also promoted through additional PDL lessons
  • Picture News

RSE curriculum discusses the idea of consent and respecting each other’s opinions and bodies

Acceptance (Tolerance) of different faiths and beliefs

Links to school values:

  • Respect
  • Nurturing
  • We have pride in ourselves
  • Tenacious
  • Optimistic
  • We face new challenges and learn from our mistakes

UN CRC Article 14: Children have the right to think and believe what they want, and to practice their religion, as long as they are not stopping other people from enjoying their rights. Parents should guide their children on these matters.

  • We have high expectations of pupil conduct and this is reflected in our Behaviour Policy.
  • Acceptance of different faiths and beliefs is promoted through the Hampshire County Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education – Living Difference. Children learn about different religions, their beliefs, places of worship and festivals. The children’s work on this subject or whole school learning in Collective Worship is often displayed in the classrooms or around the school.
  • This is supplemented by weekly assemblies, which also mark and celebrates significant religious festivals such as Chinese New Year and Diwali.
  • The vicar of the Local Parish delivers some assemblies to share the perspective of the local church, and we work closely with the Church e.g. Harvest Festival, Christmas and Easter Services and experiences.

Picture News

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