In accordance with The Department for Education we aim to actively promote British values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. Pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law.

The Key Values are:

· democracy

· rule of law

· individual liberty

· mutual respect

· tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

Promoting British Values at Milford

The DfE have recently reinforced the 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.”

The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated by the Prime Minister this year. At Milford these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

• Democracy:

Democracy is rife within the school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our Pupil Council and Pupil questionnaires. The election of School Council representatives are based solely on pupil votes.

• The Rule of Law:

The importance of Laws (Rules), whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout the school day, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involvesand the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service reinforce this message.

• Individual Liberty:

Within school, 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 young pupils to make choices safely.  Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. Through participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

• Mutual Respect:

Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy revolves around our Core Value of ‘Respect’ for others and our World. Pupils take part in discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. Posters around the school promote respect for others and this is
reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our behaviour policy.

• Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:

This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.