British Values

The Department for Education states that there is a need, “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on 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.”

St Nicholas aims to reflect British values in all that we do.  We aim to nurture our children on their journey through life so they can grow into safe, caring, democratic, responsible and understanding adults who make a positive contribution to British society and beyond. We encourage our children to be unique, open-minded and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and of others in our school, our local community and the wider world. 

At St Nicholas we actively promote British values in the following ways:

Democracy

The promotion of democracy is extensive within the school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our House Captains, School Council, JRSOs, and pupil questionnaires. Children in each class vote for the children they want to represent them on school Council. Children are consulted and contribute to the development of school policies, for example our behaviour policy in the home school agreement and the school improvement plan.

The Rule of Law

The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school worship times. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they 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 are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.

Individual Liberty

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our ‘Online safety’ and PSHE lessons. Pupils are given the freedom to make choices, for example signing up for extra-curricular clubs, choosing the level of challenge in some lessons and deciding what to present at class worship.

Mutual Respect

As a Church of England school, our ethos is based around core Christian values, including respect. Our aims are firmly based on the value of community and respect, which permeates all aspects of school life, including our school improvement plan and behaviour policy. This is supported by our values led worship time and main hall display, with a different value each term.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Worship times and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. Children have a school visit to different places of worship during their time at St Nicholas. We are currently involved in a partnership project with schools in Chernobyl in Ukraine and Lille in France which gives pupils the opportunity to learn about other cultures. We use opportunities such as The Olympics and World Cups to study other countries.