Gorse Covert Primary School

The DfE have identified 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 in 2014. At Gorse Covert these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy
We have a student council which meets every month with a member of the Senior Leadership Team to discuss issues raised. School Governors are also sometimes invited to attend.

The council bring ideas from their class mates and they are genuinely able to effect change within the school. Every child on the student council is voted in by their class. During the election process, children learn about democracy and see how a democratic community works. The School Council have been involved in the appointment of staff members, voting on new playground equipment and lunch time improvements. We also have House Captains who are voted for by the children in each House.

The Rule of Law
The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Gorse Covert. Pupils are taught from an early age the rules of the school.
Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message.

Individual Liberty
At Gorse Covert, 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 informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons.

Mutual Respect
Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. Mutual respect is taught throughout all subjects but with a particular focus in our RE, PHSE lessons and assemblies. All members of the school community treat each other with respect. One of our 5Rs is 'Respect and is at the core of everything we do at Gorse Covert. 

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
We actively promote and celebrate diversity through our studies of different faiths and cultures. Religious Education lessons and PSHE lessons reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others. We strongly believe that tolerance is gained through knowledge and understanding. 

Members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. The children find out about places of worship that are important to different faiths.

British Values are also covered in our Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural Curriculum which can be viewed below.