British Values at Dobwalls

As part of our curriculum we try to actively promote ‘fundamental British values’ and develop children's understanding of what it means to be British in everything we do.

The Department for Education states that there is a 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”.

The Department for Education defines British Values as follows:

• Respect for democracy and support or participation in the democratic process
• Respect for the basis on which the law is made and applies in England
• Support for equality of opportunity for all
• Support and respect for the liberties of all within the law
• Respect for and tolerance of different faiths, religions and other beliefs.

This content is delivered to children through a range of lessons including: One Decision RSE curriculum, RE and individual topics such as Our Cornwall in Year 3.  They are also delivered during assemblies with British Values at the centre of everything. Each half term we focus on a different British Value in depth to ensure children gain a deeper understanding. 

The teaching of British Values will focus on:

• Democracy – respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic process;
• The rule of law – respect for the basis on which the law is made
• Equality – support for equality of opportunity for all
• Individual liberty – support and respect for the liberties of all within the law
• Mutual respect – respect for and tolerance of different faiths and religious and other belief

As part of this programme of study pupils will:

• Describe their own identities and the groups that they feel they belong to;
• Recognise different identities and experiences;
• Appreciate that identity consists of many factors;
• Recognise that each person’s identity is unique and can change; and begin to understand the idea of stereotypes.

We nurture our children to prepare them for their journey through life.  We believe that interest in exploring, improving understanding of and showing respect for different faiths and cultural diversity and the extent to which they understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity, as shown by their tolerance and attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities should be interwoven within our curriculum.  For example, our democratically chosen School Council values the voice of all children.  Ideas and events are discussed by all classes with a chance for everyone to have their voice within a debate which is then taken into the School Council. Our broad and balanced curriculum helps to prepare children for life in modern Britain.