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. The DfE have reinforced the need “to promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school and of society.”

Through a broad and balanced curriculum, we at St Andrew’s 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. 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. At St Andrew’s Primary School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways.

Democracy                                                                                                                                                            Democracy is embedded at St Andrew’s Primary School. Children are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. Children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. We have a School Council (Treetops) which meets regularly to discuss issues raised across the school.

The Rule of Law                                                                                                                                                                    The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.                                       

Individual Liberty                                                                                                                                                                  Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe, nurturing and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our ESafety and PSHE lessons and Nurture groups. Whether it be through choice of learning challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect                                                                                                                                                              Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children 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.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs                                                                                                        St Andrew’s is situated in an area which is not greatly culturally diverse, therefore we place a great emphasis on promoting diversity with the children. Assemblies are regularly planned to address this either directly or through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures. Our RE and PSHE teaching reinforce this. We challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views