The Department for Education (DfE) places a duty on schools to prepare children for life in modern Britain by developing their understanding of ‘fundamental British values’. According to the DfE, ‘fundamental British values’ comprise of:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs, and for those without faith.

In order to prepare our children for secondary school and wider society we aim to foster attitudes of tolerance and respect for different cultures and viewpoints (already a strength of our diverse and vibrant community), and prepare them to take an active part in the democratic process.

Democracy

Children have the opportunity to express their views, and deal with differences of opinion in a measured way through regular surveys and questionnaires or pupil voice interviews as well as taking part in elections for the School Council. They will look outside their local community to learn about other cultures, and also see how they might help others less fortunate than themselves through charity projects.

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 assemblies. All children are required to follow our ‘Golden Behaviours’ and, at the start of each year, discuss the creation of their own set of class rules. 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. Year 6 children are able to become anti-bullying ambassadors and support their peers to resolve differences using the restorative justice approach. Visits from authorities such as the PCSO, the Mayor of Haringey and our local MP Catherine West, help reinforce this message. Year 6 pupils visit the Houses of Parliament and are taught how the rule of law is fundamental to our society.

Individual Liberty

Children are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. They are also given the freedom to make choices in a variety of ways. For example, they have choice of challenge in lessons, of participation in our range of extra-curricular clubs, choice of activities at Golden Time and what food option they would like for lunch every day.

Mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs, and for those without faith.

We achieve this primarily through the curriculum subjects of Religious Education and Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) and our Assembly program regularly supported by visitors. However, our well designed curriculum ensures that where possible these attributes are routinely taught. For example during the summer term tests in literacy all have a focus on refugees to coincide with Refugee Week and in history we have developed units about the Windrush generation and immigration since World War 2 which provide opportunities for children to develop their understanding of today’s society.