British Values at St Mary’s Church of England Primary School

At St Mary’s Church of England Primary School, we are committed to nurturing the whole child. Alongside high academic expectations, we recognise our responsibility to prepare pupils for life in modern Britain. Central to this commitment is the explicit promotion of British Values, underpinned by our Christian ethos, our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Justice (EDIJ), and our school values of Love, Hope and Trust.

Our mission statement, “Investing in the uniqueness of the individual,” reflects our belief that every child is uniquely created, valued and loved by God. We strive to ensure that all pupils flourish within a safe, respectful and inclusive community where difference is recognised, celebrated and respected.

The Government defines British Values as:

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

At St Mary’s, these values are embedded across all areas of school life through our curriculum, collective worship, behaviour policies, relationships and daily practice.

Democracy

Democracy is actively promoted at St Mary’s and pupils are given meaningful, age‑appropriate opportunities to develop an understanding of democratic processes and the importance of having their voice heard. We foster a school culture in which pupils are encouraged to express their views, listen to others and contribute positively to the life of the school.

The democratic process is embedded through the nomination and election of pupils to the School Council, enabling children to represent the views of their peers, participate in discussion and contribute to decision‑making. This reflects our Christian values and our commitment to EDIJ, ensuring that all voices are valued and respected.

Pupils in Years 5 and 6 further deepen their understanding of democracy through a residential visit to London, which includes a visit to the Houses of Parliament. This experience allows pupils to see democracy in action and learn how laws are made, the role of elected representatives and how democratic institutions serve the people.

Democratic understanding is enhanced further through visits from key civic leaders, including the Lord Lieutenant and our local Member of Parliament, Matt Vickers. These opportunities allow pupils to ask questions, engage in discussion and develop a real‑life understanding of democratic leadership at local and national levels.

Curriculum Links: Picture News and PSHE

British Values are reinforced through our use of Picture News, which provides weekly, age‑appropriate discussion materials linked to current affairs. These sessions support pupils in developing a strong understanding of democracy, fairness, rights and responsibilities, diversity and justice.

Picture News resources are explicitly mapped to the British Values framework, with a particular focus on democracy, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance. Through structured discussion and debate, pupils are encouraged to share opinions, challenge ideas respectfully and appreciate differing viewpoints. This aligns closely with our EDIJ principles and our values of Love, Hope and Trust.

These discussions form an integral part of our PSHE curriculum, supporting pupils’ personal, social and emotional development. Learning is linked to themes such as active citizenship, respectful relationships, media literacy, rights and responsibilities, and participation in society. This ensures pupils develop the confidence, empathy and critical thinking needed to engage positively with life in modern Britain.

The Rule of Law

The importance of the rule of law is consistently reinforced throughout everyday school life. Pupils learn that laws and rules exist to protect individuals, promote fairness and allow communities to live and work together safely.

Clear expectations and consistent routines help pupils understand their rights and responsibilities, while behaviour is managed through fairness, reflection and restorative approaches. Our Christian ethos encourages pupils to understand the importance of justice, forgiveness and responsibility, rooted in our value of Love.

Through assemblies, class discussions and visits from external services such as the Police and Fire Service, pupils gain an understanding of how laws operate in wider society and the role they play in keeping people safe. Pupils learn that actions have consequences and that everyone has a responsibility to uphold shared rules.

Individual Liberty

At St Mary’s, pupils are encouraged to develop independence, self‑confidence and resilience within a secure and nurturing environment. We promote individual liberty by empowering pupils to make informed choices while understanding the boundaries required to keep themselves and others safe.

Through PSHE, Computing and wider curriculum learning, pupils are taught about personal rights, freedoms and responsibilities, including how to stay safe online and how to seek help when needed. This reflects our mission to invest in the uniqueness of the individual, recognising each child’s identity, voice and potential.

By encouraging aspiration and self‑belief, we nurture Hope, preparing pupils to become confident learners and responsible citizens.

Mutual Respect

Mutual respect is central to life at St Mary’s and is modelled consistently by staff and pupils. We promote respect for self, others and the world around us through classroom practice, behaviour expectations and daily interactions.

Pupils are taught to listen attentively, express their views respectfully and engage positively with those who may hold different opinions. We foster an environment where disagreement can be shared safely and respectfully, developing empathy, emotional literacy and understanding.

Our school values of Love and Trust, alongside our commitment to EDIJ, ensure that equality, fairness and dignity underpin all relationships within our school community. Collaborative learning, sport and enrichment activities further reinforce these values.

Tolerance of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

As a Church of England school, St Mary’s is rooted in Christian teachings while actively promoting understanding, respect and appreciation of people of all faiths and worldviews.

Through Religious Education, pupils learn about Christianity alongside a range of other world religions and beliefs. This enables them to understand their place in a culturally and religiously diverse society and to develop attitudes of openness, respect and compassion.

Pupils are encouraged to live out Christian values, particularly Love and Hope, by welcoming difference, challenging prejudice and standing up for justice. This aligns closely with our EDIJ principles, ensuring all members of our community feel valued, included and respected.