The Department for Education 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 and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.”

At Henbury View First School we agree with the Department for Education’s five-part definition of British values. We actively promote fundamental British values and this is mapped in our curriculum, across the whole school. Listed below are some examples of how we promote these values in our school community:

• School assemblies
• Picture News (picture-news.co.uk)
• Religious Education
• Jigsaw- Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) sessions

Values

At Henbury View, these values are reinforced regularly: 

Democracy: Pupil voice is significant in regards to life at Henbury View First School. We show we are democratic by deciding upon our class charters and the rights associated with these. We contribute to the drawing up of the charter and all members of the class sign the charter to agree to the rights and responsibilities we have throughout the year. 

The Rule of Law: 'The rule of law value' plays a fundamental part at Henbury as we place safety and behaviour at the heart of our school. Children are taught from an early age the rules and routines of the school and how to stay safe.

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. As a school, we actively encourage children to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. Our pupils are taught to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are to understand how to exercise these safely, such as in our e-safety and PSHE lessons.

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 Henbury View First School, in classrooms and play areas alike.

Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs: We offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which all major religions are studied and respected. At Henbury View First School 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. We enhance the understanding of different faiths and beliefs through Religious Education studies; PSHE; visits to other schools and enjoying a depth of study during themed weeks. Beliefs and traditions will be studied in depth, with visitors being invited in to our school to enrich and extend understanding.  Through this our pupils gain an enhanced understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society.  

School Council

We have a school council which meet to discuss issues raised in class council meetings. The council can bid for its own budget and is genuinely able to effect change within the school. Every child on the student council is voted in by their class at the beginning of the year.