British Values and Equality

Intent

At New Close, we aim to prepare children for life in modern Britain by equipping them with the skills required to be responsible, respectful and active citizens who contribute positively to society.

The fundamental British Values are introduced, discussed, and lived out through the ethos and work of the school. Our own school core values are linked and unpinned by British Values of: 

•         Democracy
•         Rule of law
•         Individual liberty
•         Mutual Respect
•         Tolerance of different cultures and religions

We aim to develop children’s understanding and appreciation of diversity. The children will learn to celebrate what we have in common and promote respect for the different protected characteristics as defined by law.

Our school assemblies, as well as RE and PSHE lessons, intend to enhance the children’s learning opportunities and encourage both the British Values and our School Values to be enacted.

Implementation

Our children are given lots of opportunities to become responsible, respectful and active citizens who contribute positively to society. We ensure that pupils are provided with opportunities to demonstrate how democracy works through actively promoting the democratic processes. Each year, children are nominated to become house captains. Through a process of interviews representatives for each house are chosen. Student leaders in Y1-Y6 are also elected democratically and meetings are held regularly to ensure our pupils have a voice.

We help children celebrate differences and encourage each pupil to feel good about themselves, where they fit in the world and appreciate diversity in others. Through Religious Education, pupils develop their knowledge of the world faiths, and their understanding and awareness of the beliefs, values and traditions of other individuals, societies, communities and cultures.

British values are taught alongside other curriculum areas, for example, within the PSHE curriculum, children learn how to be strong, active and tolerant members of society who have rights and responsibilities as a member of a diverse society. In Science and Maths, children are encouraged to show cooperation, sensitivity, and tolerance of each other during problem solving activities. In English, children read about mutual respect, tolerance and individual liberty.

Whole school assemblies are held, where children are encouraged to show mutual respect towards others. We also celebrate special days, such as Remembrance Day, national sporting events, religious festivals and key events in the calendar of the British Monarchy to acknowledge our British Culture.

Impact

By the time our children leave us, they will:

• Be responsible, respectful, active citizens of Britain who contribute positively to society.
• Achieve academic success and be of good character, being able to celebrate what we have in common and promote respect for the different protected characteristics as defined by law.
• Leave school with an understanding and respect for democracy, the rule of law and individual liberty.
• Continue their education journey showing their mutual respect and tolerance to all creeds and faiths.

As well as the British Values, and our New Close Values, we are committed to Equalities Education. We work to ensure that our children understand that:

• Everyone is included – we show love, acceptance and tolerance to all
• Everyone is different
• We celebrate our differences
• We are all equal in our differences

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

At New Close we teach and promote these in our curriculum and embed them into our ethos and The New Close way. Our vision and six  values, enable us to ensure children understand and show the love, acceptance and tolerance to all we expect. 

You read about our approach to the Protected Characteristics in the document below and on our Personal Development page.