Promoting Fundamental British Values

At Westfield we promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of our pupils. We follow Department for Education guidance provided in a document called ‘Promoting Fundamental British values as part of SMSC in schools.’ November 2014.

This document outlines the following key areas that we actively promote and integrate into our ethos, aims, ‘Skills for Life’ and curriculum in the following ways;

Democracy:

• Encourage pupils to express their opinions
• Hold elections each year for pupils to represent the school council
• Encourage pupils to be involved in decision making processes in the classroom
• and wider school
• Conduct debates about issues introduced through the curriculum
• Introduce pupils to the democratic processes in this country
• Write to local MPs / Councillors

Rule of law:

• Discuss and establish class and school rules – ensuring an understanding of how
• these are just and fair
• Instil in pupils an understanding of “right” and “wrong”
• Talk about how conflicts in and out of school could be resolved – encourage
• pupils to think about how wrongs could be put right
• Help pupils understand the importance of laws – and the difference between
• criminal / civil laws and religious / moral laws
• Plan for the police to visit school regularly as part of the curriculum

Individual liberty:

• Encourage the development of self-confidence and self-esteem in pupils
• Promote positive attitudes to learning
• Discuss with pupils what “freedoms” individuals should be allowed
• Help pupils understand the need for responsibilities as well as rights

Respect and tolerance:

• Discuss similarities and differences between people
• Help pupils to understand their own culture and introduce them to different
• cultures and ways of life
• Ensure a strong anti-bullying culture is in place in school
• Challenge stereotypes as well as any discriminatory behaviour
• Develop links with local faith communities
• Visit different places of worship Invite visits from people of different cultures
• Establish links with communities of different cultures and faiths