At Hawkshead School we recognise not only the importance of allowing students to flourish academically, but also the need to build skills and values that will prepare them for adult life. Part of that role in preparation is ensuring that we promote and reinforce British Values to our students. We promote British Values through SMSC and the curriculum.

The five British Values are:

• Democracy
• The Rule of Law
• Individual Liberty
• Mutual Respect
• Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

The examples that follow are an indication of some of the many ways we seek to embed British values at Hawkshead Primary School and should be seen as an indication of our approach rather than an exhaustive list.

Democracy

Pupil voice is significant in regards to life at Hawkshead Primary School. Our pupil elected school council plays a strong role in our school. They are elected by their class peers and are involved in making our school a better place to learn. Children have a great amount of input in regards to what and how they learn, which promotes pupil voice. For example, sometimes the pupils decide as a class how they would like to learn certain skills in subjects and this is used to inform the teacher’s planning.

Pupil questionnaires and interviews are also conducted throughout the year, as part of our monitoring cycle. We know that the formation of the school council and the active participation of our pupils will sow the seeds for a more sophisticated understanding of democracy in the future.

The Rule of Law

Our children will encounter rules and laws throughout their entire lives. We want our pupils to understand that whether these laws govern the class, the school, the neighbourhood or the country, they are set for good reasons and must be adhered to.

This understanding of the importance of rules will be consistently reinforced through assemblies and our curriculum. The involvement of our pupils in the creation of the school rules helps them to understand the reasons behind the rules and the consequences if they are broken. Through philosophical enquiry in our P.S.H.E., we allow opportunity to debate and discuss the reasons for laws so that children can recognise the importance of these for their own protection. Throughout the year we welcome visits from members of the wider community because we believe that clear explanations and real life stories emphasise the importance of the rule of law for our pupils.

Individual Liberty

We invest a great deal of time in creating a positive culture in our school, so that children are in a safe environment where choices and freedoms are encouraged. We encourage children to choose tasks that will challenge them, giving them more freedom to determine their own learning. We offer a range of clubs which pupils have the freedom to choose from, based on their interests. At Hawkshead Primary School, we believe that valuing choice and freedom in daily school life will foster a value for individual liberty as the children embark upon their adult lives.

Mutual Respect

Mutual respect is at the core of our school life. Children learn to treat each other and staff with great respect. This is evident when walking around the school and in the classrooms.

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

At Hawkshead Primary School, we offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which all major religions are studied and respected. We strongly believe that tolerance is gained through knowledge and understanding. Through our curriculum and the routines of our daily school life, we strive to demonstrate tolerance and help children to become knowledgeable and understanding citizens who can build a better Britain for the future.

View this page as downloadable PDF here: British Values