British Values at Ladymount

The DfE have reinforced the 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

  • Mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

The government set out its definitions of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.

DEMOCRACY

At Ladymount we understand that the children's opinions about their school are valid and need to be at the heart of our decision making. All staff will model this process through asking questions and inviting children's answers and opinions, whether it be in lessons, during assemblies, at lunchtime or on the playground. For example, in child-initiated learning, all children are developing their decision making skills and learning to make informed choices and take responsibility for them.  Older children often take part in debating activities or engage in public speaking on various topics.

Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council. It promotes the democratic process, fosters the concept and application of freedom of speech and group action to address needs and concerns. The election of two children per class takes place each year and is organised through pupil elections. Children in Year 6 also have many additional responsibilities such as elected House Captains and Playground Friends. They take these responsibilities extremely seriously and are fantastic ambassadors for our school.

THE RULE OF LAW

The importance of laws, including those governing the individual, the class and the whole school, are consistently reinforced throughout the school year. The children understand these laws as rules. Pupils are taught the values and the reasons behind British laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. They also understand that working within the agreed rules brings its own rewards and this is demonstrated in our achievement reward systems such as house merits, weekly celebration assemblies and termly progress and achievement assemblies. 

At the start of each school year, teacher’s work with their class to draw up age appropriate class rules. Visits from the fire service, road safety experts, the police and visits to the various community buildings help to reinforce this message.

INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to develop independence and make personal choices, knowing that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. We educate and provide boundaries for pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and empowering them through their education. Whether it be through their choice of learning challenge, how to record their work, choosing which of our many extra-curricular activities to participate in or what to eat at lunchtime, our children are given the freedom to make many choices. We believe that in fostering a careful and helpful environment as well as encouraging independence, we can boost self-esteem and promote positive mental health.

MUTUAL RESPECT and TOLERANCE OF OTHERS

Respect is one of our core values at Ladymount. Through whole school and class liturgical prayer, RSHE and PSHE lessons and our teaching of ‘Virtues to Live by’, our pupils have a good understanding of what respect means and how it is shown. Our class and school rules and our behaviour policy thoroughly reinforce this ethos.

Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs is encouraged through our ethos of respect embedded in our school motto to ‘love one another’ and through enhancing pupils understanding of their place within a culturally diverse society.