The Department of Education has an expectation that schools will provide ‘British Values’ namely democracy, rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

At this school we see this as being relevant throughout school life and very much part of our Christian ethos.

Democracy

Definition - Can be seen as a state of society characterised by equality of rights and privileges.  It can also refer to our nation’s electoral system.

• School Council works through the classes using pupils’ ideas and votes.
• Play Leaders
• Annual whole school election for being Headteacher for the day.
• Oak Class vote for Head Boy and Head Girl termly.
• Christian values such as forgiveness support the sense of fairness and equality.

Rule of Law

Definition – All people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law that is fairly applied and enforced.

• Behaviour Policy supported by both clear rewards and consequences e.g. certificates.
• Clear guidance is given during assemblies regarding the importance of laws and rules in a community.
• Curriculum links in RE, P4C and PSHCE.
  
  

Individual Liberty

Definition – Suggests the free exercise of rights generally seen as outside of government control e.g. “live as you like within the law”.

• Children encouraged to think independently in a range of subjects, whilst also thinking about their own individuality through ELLI work and P4C
• Children shown that individual choices should be encased within a safe framework through e.g. e-safety training.

Mutual Respect

Definition – The proper regard for an individual’s dignity, which is reciprocated.

• Ethos of school based Christian values including respect, responsibility, justice, compassion and forgiveness, which permeates all of school life.
• Pupils and particularly sports crew ambassadors promote fair play and respect between teams and individuals during our numerous sports activities both intra and inter school.
• Peace mediators promote two way respect between individuals in conflict resolution.
• Class P4C sessions promote listening to each other’s view points and expressing views appropriately.

Tolerance of those of Different Faith and Beliefs

Definition – A fair, objective and permissive attitude to those whose faiths and beliefs may differ from one’s own.

• Christian basis of school is to offer education to children of all faiths or none, with an emphasis on inclusion.
• The RE curriculum involves visits to places of worship including Chichester cathedral and Brighton mosque.