British Values

The Government requires all schools to actively promote fundamental British values, in order to improve safeguarding, strengthen the barriers to extremism, ensure children become valuable and fully-rounded members of society who treat others with respect and tolerance, regardless of background and to ensure young people leave school fully prepared for life in modern Britain. This aligns with all schools’ obligations under section 78 of the Education Act (2002), as part of a broad and balanced curriculum, to promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, social (SMSC), mental and physical development of pupils at the school and of society.

The fundamental British values, first set out by the government in the ‘Prevent’ strategy in 2011 and reinforced through further Department for Education advice in November 2014 are:

• Democracy

• The rule of law

• Individual liberty

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

Reinwood I & N School promotes these values through the whole range of its formal and informal curricular and extra-curricular activities. The Teachers’ Standards expect teachers to uphold public trust in the profession and maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour, within and outside school.

The following DfE guidance list describes the understanding and knowledge expected of pupils as a result of our school promoting fundamental British values:

• An understanding of how citizens can influence decision making through the democratic process.
• An understanding that there is a separation of power between the executive and the judiciary and that, while some public bodies, such as the police and the army, can be held to account through Parliament, others, such as the courts, maintain independence.
• An appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens and is essential for their wellbeing and safety.
• An understanding that the freedom to hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law.
• An acceptance that people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted in the spirit of mutual tolerance and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour.
• An understanding of the importance of identifying and combating discrimination.

Below are some examples of actions we take to promote British values at Reinwood I & N School:

• Curriculum - Across the curriculum, opportunities are built into lessons for pupils to explore and practise fundamental British values, either through topics studied or by following the school’s general structures and behaviour codes. Our Curriculum includes age-appropriate opportunities to study community cohesion, conflict resolution, democracy, youth voice, local government, human rights, the law and justice, diversity, and global citizenship. In RE, pupils learn about why people worship and the different religions they follow, religious and non-religious responses to world issues, science and religion, prejudice, the right to life and the impact of beliefs on moral behaviour. Pupils develop skills in evaluating others’ opinions and explaining their own. 


• Wider School Life - Our school vision, values and general ethos support the fundamental British values and we have a strong emphasis on the development of SMSC across the school - our Rights Respecting Schools work also complements this. Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. Posters around the school promote respect for others. There is a full programme of assemblies with a particular emphasis on positivity, respect, aspiration, tolerance and diversity. A Playground Friends and Playground Champions system operates in Year 2, ensuring these older pupils have the opportunity to act as positive role models. 


• Pupil Voice/Democracy - We promote democratic processes, fostering the concept and application of freedom of speech and group action to address needs and concerns. Key to this is the concept of holding others to account, including those in positions of authority and influence. A School Council, which meets regularly to discuss and ensure positive changes to the school, is elected through its peers. They vote on charities to support and regularly organise fundraising activities for these. Pupils apply to be Playground Champions.
Pupil Voice is a regular item on the Senior Leadership Team agenda and is supported by our link governor. The issues and requests made by the Council are then raised and discussed in the school’s Senior Team meetings. Responses are returned to the students via the School Council. 


• Extra-curricular – At Reinwood I & N School, there is a wide range of sporting, creative and academic extra-curricular activities. These activities promote self-development, self-esteem, confidence, understanding of the concept of ‘fair play’, following and developing rules, inclusion, celebrating and rewarding success, being magnanimous in defeat and participation in activities that promote team work and friendship. There are numerous visits organised to widen pupils’ perspectives, along with cultural visits and visitors to school.