At BHCPS, we actively promote 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.”

We take opportunities to actively promote British values through our daily assemblies and whole school systems and structures, such as electing and running a successful Pupil Voice team. These values are taught explicitly through Personal, Social, Health and Emotional (PSHE), and Religious Education (RE). We also actively promote British values by ensuring that our curriculum planning and delivery includes real opportunities for exploring these values.

At BHCPS, these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy:

Democracy is embedded at the school. Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. Pupils also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas through our Pupil Voice team. The elections of the Pupil Voice members are based on pupil votes, reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action.

The Rule of Law:

The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, is consistently reinforced.

Each class also discusses and sets its own rules that are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment. Our 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.

Individual Liberty:

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 our pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely; examples of this can be seen in our e-safety and P.S.H.C.E. lessons.

Mutual Respect:

Respect is a core value of our school. We believe that all children deserve the right to experience success in their education and that every child has the right to learn without disruption. We believe that the best teaching produces the best learning for all and that every member of the school and the local community has a potentially valuable role in the school’s development.

The pupils know and understand that it is expected and imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have and to everything, however big or small.

Tolerance:

Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs enhances pupils' understanding of different faiths and beliefs through Religious Education studies, P.S.H.C.E. work, educational visits, assemblies celebrating different festivals and welcoming all children and parents to our school.