British Values
We fully support the government’s drive to promote fundamental British values, as part of our duty to develop pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural awareness.
British values are visible in our school through:
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Democracy
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Rule of law
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Individual liberty
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Mutual respect
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Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
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We are also fully committed to the Government’s Prevent Strategy, which is aimed at ensuring all children are kept free from radicalisation and extremist causes.
The Prevent Strategy
What is the Prevent strategy?
Prevent is a government strategy designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorist or extremist causes.
The Prevent strategy covers all types of terrorism and extremism, including the extreme right wing, violent groups and other causes.
How does the Prevent strategy apply to schools?
From July 2015 all schools (as well as other organisations) have a duty to safeguard children from radicalisation and extremism.
This means we have a responsibility to protect children from extremist and violent views the same way we protect them from drugs or gang violence.
Importantly, we can provide a safe place for pupils to discuss these issues so they better understand how to protect themselves.
What does this mean in practice?
Many of the things we already do in school to help children become resilient, empowered, take responsibility, have a sense of belonging and be happy members of the community, also contribute to the Prevent strategy.
These include:
- Exploring other cultures and religions and promoting diversity
- • Challenging prejudices and racist comments, supported by our Single Equality Scheme
- • Developing critical thinking skills and a strong, positive self-identity
- • Promoting British values and the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils
We will also protect pupils from the risk of radicalisation, for example by using filters on the Internet to make sure they cannot access extremist and terrorist material, and by checking visitors who come into school to work with children.
How does Prevent relate to British values?
Schools have been required to promote British values since 2014, and this will continue to be part of our response to the Prevent strategy.
The Department for Education have reinforced the need to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the five fundamental British values of:
Democracy
Rule of law
Individual Liberty
Mutual Respect
Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
It is expected that pupils should 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.
Isn’t my child too young to learn about extremism?
The Prevent strategy is not just about discussing extremism itself, which may not be appropriate for younger children. It is also about teaching children values such as tolerance and mutual respect.
The school will make sure any discussions are suitable for the age and maturity of the children involved.
Is extremism really a risk in our area?
Extremism can take many forms, including political, religious and misogynistic extremism. Some of these may be a bigger threat in some areas than others, but it is highly unlikely that no area is unaffected by some form of extremism.
We will give pupils the skills to protect them from any extremist views they may encounter, now or later in their lives.
Where to go for more information:
Contact the school
If you have any questions or concerns about the Prevent strategy and what it means for your child, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
Read our policies
You can find more details about visiting the school values page on our website:
www.birdhamprimary.co.uk/Our-School/Vision-and-values
Follow links to the Department for Education guidance on the Prevent Duty strategy
