The Prevent Strategy defines “British values” as the promotion of “democracy, rule of law, equality of opportunity, freedom of speech and the rights of all men and women to live free from persecution of any kind”.

At St Lawrence CE Junior School, we ensure that we are effectively promoting British values as part of the spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development of pupils. We prepare our children for their life beyond primary school, recognising the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of Great Britain.  The promotion of British Values is woven in to our curriculum via our Collective Worship, School Council, our Behaviour strategy and our links with the community.

Democracy: 

We have an elected School Council and Eco Council. These are used as opportunities to promote and teach about democracy and the electoral process. We encourage volunteerism in and out of school. This includes things like the Eco-Warriors, Sports Captains, House Captains and Headteacher For The Day. The beginnings of democracy are taught through historical research of the Ancient Greece civilisation. Democracy is also promoted through additional PSHE lessons and our Collective Acts of Worship.

The Rule of Law:

We have high expectations about pupil conduct and this is reflected in our Behaviour Policy. There are rewards for exhibiting good and caring behaviour and consistent demonstration of our values is recognised through our Recognition Board, Headteacher certificates, Top Table, Achievement Awards and House points. Through our school aims and ethos, assemblies, circle time, intervention groups and modelled behaviour children are taught how to earn trust and respect and are supposed to develop a strong sense of morality; knowing right from wrong and doing the right thing even when it is difficult. The local police officer/PCSO visit the school to talk to the children and explain about their role in society. We have a robust Safeguarding Policy with embedded procedures for the protection of children as well as four DSLs. 

Individual Liberty:

Through our school values, Collective Worship schedule and Jigsaw PSHE program, children are taught about personal responsibility, choices, ambition and aspiration. They are encouraged to take opportunities to follow their interests in art, music and sport and these are all celebrated in school. Children are taught how to keep themselves safe, including online. This is achieved through computing lessons, PSHE lessons, assemblies and outside organisations such as the NSPCC.

Mutual Respect:

We advocate showing respect as part of our everyday behaviour culture at St Lawrence. Through our school’s values, Jigsaw PSHE scheme and circle time children are taught to respect each other, to be cooperative and collaborative, be supportive and to look for similarities while being understanding of differences. Mutual respect is also promoted through additional PSHE lessons and assemblies. A range of specific assemblies are delivered focusing on helping other pupils to understand specific needs.

Tolerance of those with different Faiths: 

We have high expectations about pupil conduct and this is reflected in our Behaviour Policy, Equality Act statement, Collective Worship policy and our SMSC policy. Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs is promoted through the Syllabus for Religious Education. Children learn about different religions, their beliefs, places of worship and festivals. The children’s work on this subject or whole school learning in assemblies is often displayed in the classrooms or around the school. We have many RE days including Easter Pause Day. We have strong, close links with all the local churches, Vicars, and the Diocese. This is supplemented by assemblies which also mark and celebrate significant religious festivals other than Christian such as Ramadan and Diwali.