British Values

How does Leckhampton C of E Primary School promote British Values?

The DFE has recently reinforced the need ‘to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation for 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 Leckhampton C of E Primary School we are dedicated to promoting values which ensure our pupils develop a strong sense of social and moral responsibility which will prepare them for life in modern Britain. Here are some of the ways we promote these values.


The School values pupil voice and the role pupils have in bringing about improvements. We ask the pupils about their learning, their concerns and ideas about how we can make things better. We do this by using pupil questionnaires and through our School Council. At the start of each year, children vote for their nominated House Captains and Vice House Captains through an election process. Through their class representatives children have the opportunity to have their voices heard through the Eco Council and through pupil conferencing with staff at different points within the year.

The Rule of Law

The school has a comprehensive Behaviour Policy which sets out clear expectations and outlines the School Rules. Children understand the school rules and what happens if these rules are broken. At the start of each year classes discuss class rules and agree a charter to abide by. During PSHCE lessons and Collective Worship, children learn about the importance of having rules and how these relate to laws. We use a range of PSHCE resources to promote moral, spiritual, social and cultural awareness among our pupils. Our children have a well-developed sense of justice and are able to discuss why there needs to be consequences for those who break the rules or laws. Our Values for Life Scheme, which we follow as a Church School, guides and supports children in developing a clear understanding of how our actions can impact upon others.

Individual Liberty

Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Through the provision of a safe, supportive and nurturing environment, we provide boundaries for our children to make choices safely. Here are some ways in which we do this;

  • Choices about what learning challenge or activity to do.
  • Choices around the participation in extra-curricular activities.
  • Choices about lunchtime options.

Our Behaviour Policy is built on the principle that children are responsible for their own actions and choices and that these have consequences. The school provides reflection time where pupils are able to think about the impact of their choices. During PSHE, E-Safety lessons and Collective Worship, pupils are taught how to keep themselves safe whilst they exercise their rights and personal freedoms. Safeguarding is embedded in every aspect of life at the school.

Mutual Respect and Tolerance

Our School motto; Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors, promotes the values of respect, compassion and friendship. Adults actively model respect with one another and with the children. This is shown through how we speak to and treat one another. Through our curriculum, we promote an awareness of different faiths and we encourage our pupils to recognise and understand these faiths. Our pupils naturally show tolerance for others and have a curiosity to find out and understand cultures and faiths that are different from their own.

British Values through the Curriculum

Planned opportunities to teach the values of our society are interwoven into the curriculum. Some examples are;

  • PSHCE: How we influence democracy is explored though PSHCE and Collective Worship. This includes looking at historical figures and exploring the effectiveness of different approaches. The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school, or the country, is consistently reinforced at Leckhampton. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely.
  • Geography: We ensure that children have a better understanding Britain through learning more about its capital cities and counties, its rivers and mountains, where Britain is in relation to the rest of Europe and other countries in the world.
  • History: We ensure that children develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British and local history. They should know how Britain has influenced and been influenced by the wider world, whilst recognizing the lives of significant individuals and specific events.
  • Music: The study of British composers and their influence worldwide.
  • Art: The study of how British artists influence others around the world.
  • Religious, Moral & Spiritual Education: Gaining a greater understanding of religious diversity and practice. Planning for the subject is directed by the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) – Gloucestershire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education. Leckhampton Primary School actively promotes diversity through celebrations of different faiths and cultures.
  • Physical Education: Promotion of the concept of “fair play” through following and developing rules, inclusion, celebrating and rewarding success, being magnanimous in defeat and participation in activities that promote kinship and affiliation with others.
  • Computing: Children are taught about respect and bullying in the online world though online safety lessons interwoven into the curriculum.
  • Pupil Leadership: This is taught through the promotion of 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 influence and authority.
  • Educational visits: Our broad range of educational visits and experiences outside of the classroom, equip our children with the skills to make a positive contribution to their community. Recent visits have included a visit to London, The Black Country Museum, Warwick Castle, The Ashmolean Museum and Cheddar Gorge,
  • Community Events: We work closely with our School Charities; Sue Ryder, British Heart Foundation and WWF. We encourage our children to interact with children from other schools though organised activities and events. Our School Choirs regularly perform at a number of charitable events which are well supported by families and the community.