Promoting British Values

Introduction to British Values

At St George's Church of England Primary School, we are proud to promote the fundamental British Values alongside our Christian vision and values. These principles help children grow into respectful, responsible and caring members of society who are prepared for life in modern Britain.

The five British Values are:

• Democracy
• The Rule of Law
• Individual Liberty
• Mutual Respect
• Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

Democracy

Throughout their time at school there will be many occasions where children will have the opportunity to be involved in the democratic process, for example through voting and having their voices heard. We understand that children's opinions about their school are valuable and need to be at the heart of our decision-making.

Our School Council has members elected from each class and has regular meetings to represent the views of their classmates. Children can also be involved in our Eco-Council, Worship Team and be voted by their peers for House Captains.

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced. Children are taught the value and reasons behind our expectations. They recognise that rules are there to protect us, that everyone has a responsibility and that there are consequences when rules are broken. Our Christian values are part of our school ethos and are referred to in all parts of the school day. 

Individual Liberty

Through our provision of a safe environment, children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms. Our children are encouraged to be as independent as possible in order to become good and valued citizens. We teach children to make safe choices  through our carefully planned PSHE and RSHE curriculum including subjects like online-safety and healthy living. Children take responsibility for particular roles, such as School Council, Playground Buddies and Sports Crew. This helps to develop their self-esteem. 

Mutual Respect

Respect is one of our school values which are embedded throughout each school day. Children learn that their behaviour has an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of our school community are encouraged to treat each other with respect. We support some of our vulnerable families by collecting food items  goods for a chosen charity, as well in participating in national charitable events such as Children in Need, Sports Relief and others. We regularly have visitors to school to raise awareness of a number of topics including Mini-Police and Dementia Awareness. 

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs 

Our RE curriculum offers opportunities to provide a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths and cultures. Through our Christian values, all children are taught to respect everyone regardless of their faith and beliefs. Cultures from other parts of the world are also taught through our topic work as well as our Collective Worship themes. This enables the children to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures.

British Values are promoted through the following school initiatives:

Kindness Crusaders:

At St George’s, Kindness Crusades plays an important role in bringing our British Values to life. Through this initiative, pupils are encouraged to show kindness, compassion, and respect in their everyday actions, helping to build a positive and inclusive school community. Kindness Crusades supports the development of mutual respect, individual responsibility, and empathy, while also empowering pupils to stand up for others and make a difference. Rooted in our Christian value of love, this work helps ensure that every child feels valued, included, and able to flourish.

Picture News:

At St George’s, we use Picture News to help bring British Values to life through real-world events. Each week, pupils explore current news stories in an age-appropriate way, encouraging them to think critically, share their opinions, and listen respectfully to others. These discussions help pupils develop an understanding of key British Values such as democracy, fairness, equality, and respect, while also linking to our Christian values of Love, Faith, Courage, and Honour. Through Picture News, pupils are supported to become thoughtful, informed, and compassionate individuals who understand their role in the wider world.

No Outsider’s Programme:

At St George’s, we use the No Outsiders programme to support our teaching of British Values and ensure that everyone feels included and valued. Through carefully chosen stories and discussions, pupils learn about equality, diversity, and the importance of respecting differences. The programme reinforces the message that “there are no outsiders here – everyone is welcome”, helping children to understand protected characteristics in an age-appropriate way. It promotes mutual respect, tolerance, and individual liberty, while encouraging pupils to show kindness, challenge unfairness, and celebrate the uniqueness of every person within our school community.