British Values

"We are dedicated to promoting the rights of every child." Article 2

The Department for Education has introduced a statutory duty for schools to promote British Values more actively from September 2014, and to ensure they are taught in schools.

Mount Pleasant Primary School is committed to serving its community. It recognises the multi-cultural, multi faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. It also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.

It follows equal opportunities guidance which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar.

Our school is dedicated to preparing students for their adult life beyond the formal examined curriculum and ensuring that it promotes and reinforces British values to all its students.

The Government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools. The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.

The five British Values are:

Democracy
The rule of law
Individual liberty
Mutual respect
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

The school uses strategies within the National Curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for students. The examples that follow show some of the many ways school seeks to embed British values.

Democracy

The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced at Mount Pleasant Primary School, with democracy processes being used for important decisions within the school community, for instance, elections being held for School Council positions. We believe that children need to practice democracy in as many aspects of school life as possible. The principle of democracy is also explored in the Global Learning programme, History, Religious Studies and the SEAL and the World Curriculum as well as in lesson time and assemblies.

The rule of law

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at our school.
Students are taught the rules and expectations of the school which are highlighted by the student code of conduct and student expectations. Students are taught the value and the reasons behind laws that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service reinforce this message.

Individual liberty

At Mount Pleasant Primary School, students are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Staff at school educate and provide boundaries for students to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through online safety and independent work. The school is currently working towards the Quality Mark for PSHE. Mount Pleasant Primary School has a robust anti-bullying policy and has in place a comprehensive Behaviour and Discipline Policy.

Mutual Respect

Respect is a strong part of Mount Pleasant Primary School, with our School Code of Conduct, at the forefront of daily school life.

Take Care of Others.

Take Care of Yourself.

Take care of our School.

Students learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect and this is reiterated through its teaching and learning environments. The school is a Level 1 Rights Respecting School.

Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum by providing the opportunity for students to express their views in a safe environment.

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

This is achieved though equipping students with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving the opportunities to experience such diversity within the school community. Children benefit from a number of visits and visitors, including those from other cultures. Additionally, students are actively encouraged to share their faith and beliefs within the school and celebrate festivities throughout the calendar year. Mount Pleasant Primary school is a non-denominational school and so does not promote any religion above any other. We are very careful to deliver a broad and balanced Religious Education curriculum (compulsory for all pupils) which teaches the children what beliefs and values are important to world religions. It is the view of Mount Pleasant Primary School that it is through this understanding and knowledge children will develop tolerance.

Mount Pleasant Primary School strives endlessly to ensure that its students leave with the strongest foundation of values upon which to build a successful life and a successful contribution to our society.