British Values - Our Vision 

At Meadowside, we champion British values by nurturing a culture of respect, tolerance, and democracy and enable every child to have a voice. We support our children to use these and the school values in daily life to enable them to be responsible Knaresborough citizens. We provide the children with information and optional choices around democracy, the rule of law, Individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs. 

Through each term, we teach children what the British Values are and create opportunities of interest, that children can actively be involved and ensure that activities are purposeful and relevant and that children can align with their own experiences to deepen learning. As staff, we model how children can respond appropriately and provide a secure knowledge and understanding around the fundamental areas of British Values and inspire children with independent opportunities to offer their views, opinions, knowledge and understanding of British Values.

Intent

At Meadowside Academy, we support the fundamental British Values of  

• Democracy. 
• The rule of law. 
• Individual liberty. 
• Mutual respect. 
• Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs. 

Implementation

We promote British Values through all aspects of our curriculum from EYFS to Year 6. 

We weave the values through the curriculum by including the following: 

Democracy 

• Let children know their views count and encourage everyone to value each other’s opinions and values.  
• We let children share views on aspects of learning 
• We provide activities that involve turn-taking, sharing and collaboration 
• Give children opportunities to develop enquiring minds by creating an atmosphere at your setting where all questions are valued 
• We encourage research and questioning to inform choices, views and values 

Rule of Law 

• Ensure that children understand their own and others’ behaviour and its consequences, helping them to distinguish right from wrong 
• Work with children to create the rules and the codes of behaviour, such as agreeing the rules about tidying up, and ensuring children understand that the rules apply to everyone 

Individual liberty 

• Provide opportunities for children to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and increase their confidence in their own abilities, for example, through allowing children to take risks on an obstacle course and talking about their experiences and learning 
• Encourage a range of experiences that allow children to explore the language of feelings and responsibility, reflect on their differences and understand everyone is free to have different opinions 

Mutual respect and tolerance 

• Encourage and explain to children about the importance of tolerant behaviours, such as sharing and respecting each other’s opinions 
• Promote diverse attitudes and challenge stereotypes, for example, by sharing stories that reflect and value the diversity of children’s experiences 
• Provide resources and activities that challenge gender, cultural and racial stereotyping 
• Create an ethos of inclusivity and tolerance at your setting where views, faiths, cultures and races are valued 
• Arrange visits whereby children can engage with the wider community 
• Encourage children to acquire a tolerance, appreciation and respect for their own and other cultures by discussing with children the similarities and differences between themselves and others; and among families, faiths, communities, cultures and traditions 
• Share and discuss practices, celebrations and experiences 

Impact

Children will have a secure understanding of British Values. We want children to be confident in expressing their views and opinions in a balanced and informed way. We want all children to feel valued, included and work collaboratively together to support learning, views, independence, emotional and personal development.