British Values

The Department for Education has published guidance on promoting British Values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain.

All schools have a duty to ‘actively 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.

At Newbury Park Primary, we are committed to serving our diverse multicultural, multi-faith and ever-changing community. We believe it is essential that our pupils are equipped with the tools they need to support them growing up in modern British society. We want all pupils that attend our school to have the opportunity to develop a strong set of values and principles, and question and understand what it means to grow up as a citizen in Britain. We want our pupils to know our British Values underpinning what is to be a good citizen while valuing and celebrating diversity.

Our school reflects British Values in all that we do. We aim to nurture our pupils on their journey through life so they can grow into safe, caring, democratic, responsible and tolerant adults who make a positive difference in British society and the world.

Democracy

At Newbury Park Primary, we are committed to ensuring that every pupil’s voice is heard and valued. We achieve this through several initiatives:

Bubble Time: Available in every classroom, allowing pupils to express their thoughts and concerns in a safe, supportive space.
Pupil Surveys: Regular feedback is gathered to understand pupils' perspectives and improve their school experience.
Circle Time: A structured opportunity for pupils to share ideas and discuss issues with their peers.
Rights Respecting Ambassadors: These pupils are part of our Pupil Leadership Team, advocating for their rights and the rights of others.

We also actively promote democratic values by engaging pupils in decision-making processes, such as electing school ambassadors. In lessons, children are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills, learning how to construct and defend their points of view respectfully.

Through these practices, we empower our pupils to contribute meaningfully to the school community and understand the importance of their role in a democratic society.

The Rule of Law

At Newbury Park Primary, we consistently reinforce the importance of laws—whether they govern the classroom, the school, or the country. Our school operates on three core expectations: Ready, Respectful, Safe, which are deeply embedded in our daily work. Each class also creates its own class charter, understood by all, to ensure a safe and orderly learning environment for everyone. Pupils are taught the value of laws, how they protect us, the responsibilities that come with them, and the consequences when laws are broken.

Individual Liberty

We actively encourage our pupils to make informed choices in a safe, supportive environment. At Newbury Park Primary, we set clear boundaries that empower pupils to explore their personal freedoms responsibly. Whether through e-safety lessons or Personal Development and Health (PDH) classes, children learn to understand and exercise their rights safely. This includes choices related to learning challenges, methods of recording work, or participating in extracurricular activities—pupils are given the freedom to make these decisions, fostering independence.

Mutual Respect

As a Gold Rights Respecting School, mutual respect is at the heart of everything we do. Our pupils understand that respect is essential—towards people of all ages and backgrounds, and all things, big or small. This core value permeates our everyday interactions both in and out of the classroom and is integral to our school culture.

Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs

At Newbury Park Primary, we foster a deep understanding and appreciation of diverse faiths and beliefs. Through religious education, PDH lessons, visits to places of worship, and celebrations such as Diwali, we provide pupils with rich learning experiences. Themed days and cultural studies further enhance their understanding of the world around them, promoting tolerance and preparing them to thrive in a culturally diverse society and global community.

This holistic approach helps prepare our pupils to be respectful, responsible citizens, contributing positively to their communities both locally and globally.

PROMOTING THE NINE PROTECTED CHARACTERISTICS

The Equality Act became law in 2010. It covers everyone in Britain and protects people from discrimination, harassment and victimisation. Everyone in Britain is protected. This is because the Equality Act protects people against discrimination because of the protected characteristics that we all have. Under the Equality Act, there are nine Protected Characteristics:

Age
Disability
Gender reassignment
Race
Religion or belief
Marriage or civil partnership
Sex
Sexual orientation
Pregnancy and maternity

Under the Equality Act you are protected from discrimination:

When you are in the workplace
When you use public services like healthcare (for example, visiting your doctor or local hospital) or education (for example, at your school or college)
When you use businesses and other organisations that provide services and goods (like shops, restaurants, and cinemas)
When you use transport
When you join a club or association (for example, your local tennis club)
When you have contact with public bodies like your local council or government departments

The 9 Protected Characteristics are actively promoted in school through:

Our school ethos statements, SDP, and SEF
Our school's core values of curiosity, compassion, courage and creativity
Our school behaviour for self-regulation policy
Our work as a Rights Respecting Gold school
Conscious role modelling by all adults in the school community
Active engagement and communication with parents and carers
Assemblies
British Values
Discussion within curriculum subjects, taking a cross-curricular approach
Promoting articulation by building appropriate language and a coherent vocabulary
Our curriculum, including Personal, Development and Health lessons, RE lessons and History lessons
Sporting, Art and Cultural Events
Pupil Voice
Educational visits and visitors
Enrichment activities including extracurricular activities and charity work

Embedding Protected Characteristics into the whole ethos of Newbury Park Primary promotes:

Self-esteem, self-knowledge and self-confidence
Respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic process
Acceptance of responsibility for their own behaviour
Respect for their own and other cultures
Understanding of how they can contribute positively to school and home life and the lives of those living and working in the locality and further afield
An understanding of Equality, Human Rights and Protected Characteristics
An understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process`````````
An appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens and is essential for their well-being and safety
An understanding that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law
An acceptance that other people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour
An understanding of the importance of identifying and combating discrimination