Promoting Fundamental British Values at Brierley Hill Primary School
At Brierley Hill Primary School, we are dedicated to embedding the Fundamental British Values into every aspect of school life. In accordance with Department for Education guidance, we actively promote these values to ensure that our pupils leave school as responsible, respectful, and engaged citizens who are prepared for life in modern Britain.
We do not see British Values as a standalone concept but as an integral part of our ethos, woven into our curriculum, policies, school culture, and daily interactions. Our goal is not just for pupils to know these values but to live them every day.
The Key British Values at Brierley Hill Primary School
- Democracy
- Rule of Law
- Individual Liberty
- Mutual Respect
- Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs
Our school values align closely with these, ensuring that every child experiences, understands, and demonstrates them in their time with us.
Democracy in Action
At Brierley Hill Primary School, we believe that all members of our community—children, parents, and staff—should have a voice.
- Our Student Cabinet is a shining example of Democracy in action. Pupils take part in elections, mirroring the British electoral system, to elect a Prime Minister and a Cabinet from across Key Stage 2.
- The School Cabinet meets regularly to discuss key school issues, implement change, and make the school a better place for everyone.
- Pupil Voice is actively encouraged, and children have opportunities to share their ideas about how to improve the school.
- Our Behaviour Policy includes rewards that children have discussed and helped create, such as the Carrot Rewards system.
📢 Pupil Quote: “I am hoping to use the children’s and teachers’ ideas to improve the school in every way.” – Jordan, Year 6, Prime Minister
- The Jigsaw PSHE programme embeds democracy across all its themes, ensuring pupils understand their role in a democratic society.
- Our CUSP Curriculum explores themes such as Migration, helping children understand the importance of democratic values in history and society.
The Rule of Law
Understanding rules and laws is vital for our pupils to become responsible citizens. We ensure that children understand that rules protect us, keep us safe, and promote fairness.
- Our school follows three simple rules that are integral to our learning and ethos every day.
- School rules and expectations are clear, fair, and regularly promoted through assemblies, lessons, and pupil discussions.
- Our Behaviour and Anti-Bullying Policies promote a zero-tolerance approach to aggression, abuse, or violence—applicable to pupils, staff, parents, and carers as part of our Brierley Hill Pledge.
- Pupils engage with law enforcement through regular visits from our link PCSO (Police Community Support Officer), including sessions on:
- Hate crime
- Knife crime
- Internet safety
- Personal safety
🚒 Fire Service visits in Year 4 help reinforce the importance of laws for public safety.
- Attendance matters! We actively promote good attendance and have clear support strategies for pupils with poor attendance.
- Children learn about their rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
🔵 Jigsaw PSHE & CUSP Curriculum focus on Community, Citizenship, and the Wider World, ensuring pupils understand their role within society.
Individual Liberty
At Brierley Hill Primary School, we support pupils in making choices and decisions, knowing they are in a safe, secure, and supportive environment.
- Pupils develop self-knowledge, self-esteem, and self-confidence through a broad and balanced curriculum.
- We teach children to understand their rights and personal freedoms, helping them make safe choices, particularly during events like Safer Internet Day.
- Freedom of expression is encouraged through personal choices such as wearing their own clothes on their birthday.
- CUSP Curriculum themes include British Heritage and Overcoming Adversity, helping children appreciate the freedoms they enjoy.
- The Jigsaw PSHE programme supports personal development and nurtures the whole child, increasing learning capacity.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs
At Brierley Hill Primary School, Respect is a core value. We actively promote understanding, acceptance, and appreciation of different faiths, beliefs, and cultures.
- High expectations for achievement and behaviour are established at the beginning of each academic year and regularly reinforced.
- Our weekly 'Purple Envelope' celebrations reward pupils who demonstrate our school values.
- Children take on leadership responsibilities, such as Year 5 & 6 Lunchtime Helpers and other pupil-led roles.
- Theme Days and Events foster appreciation for different cultures and beliefs, including:
- Remembrance Day
- Eid Celebrations
- Christmas and Easter Events
- Pink for Paisleigh Fundraiser
📚 CUSP Curriculum includes themes such as Migration, Friendship, Understanding Others, and Citizenship, teaching children about the rich diversity of society.
- The Jigsaw PSHE programme ensures that children learn to debate, listen, and respect other viewpoints.
- Pupils go beyond tolerance to celebrate difference, embracing their own uniqueness and that of others.
- Pupils aged 7 and over explore elements of the Equality Act, ensuring that they understand the importance of respecting the beliefs and feelings of others.
What’s Next?
We are always looking to enhance our approach to British Values. Upcoming initiatives include:
✅ Introduction of Zones of Regulation – helping children understand and manage emotions.
✅ Stronger links with local faith communities and visits to places of worship.
✅ Expanding pupil leadership roles, including Well-being Buddies and Anti-Bullying Ambassadors.
✅ Student Cabinet involvement in the recruitment process for new staff.
✅ Greater engagement with parents through sharing their views and acting upon them.
✅ Debate opportunities within school, allowing pupils to discuss important issues in a structured way.
At Brierley Hill Primary School, we believe that British Values should not be taught in isolation, but should form the foundation of a well-rounded, inclusive, and respectful school community.
By instilling these principles in our pupils, we are preparing them not just for academic success, but for life in a diverse and ever-changing society.
📢 Would you like to learn more about how we promote British Values?
📩 Contact us to find out more!