At King Edward Primary School we fully endorse the DFE strategy which aims 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.

Democracy
Children have many opportunities for their voice to be heard. Every year pupils throughout KS2 write their own manifestos, from this they deliver a speech to the rest of their class explaining why they think they would make a good council leader. Two pupils per class are elected onto the school council, which meets regularly, to discuss issued raised by the pupils. The school council are involved in organising charity events throughout the year and speak in assembly to promote events or initiatives being addressed. After recently changing the way that we teach maths in school, maths leaders spent some time talking to children across school to gain their views and listen to the children’s voice.

The Rule of Law
The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour.
Both through our PSHCE curriculum and our assemblies programme pupils are taught the value and reason behind laws: that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.
Visits from outside authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message. Year 6 take part each year in the ‘Crucial Crew’ programme which reinforces the criminal age of responsibility and how people are accountable for their actions. The Rule of Law is also modelled by staff who demonstrate integrity, fairness and high standards at all times.

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 pupils to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and 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 PSHCE lessons. Whether it be through choice of learning challenge, of participation in our extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect
Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect. Throughout school we have posters from Stonewall (LGBTQ) displayed which promote diversity within the family and respect for everyone. These posters are used in classroom discussions during PSHCE lessons to promote mutual respect and tolerance for all.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
King Edward Primary School is situated in an area which is not greatly culturally diverse; therefore we place a great emphasis on promoting diversity with the children. Assemblies are regularly planned to address this issue either directly or through the inclusion stories and celebration from a variety of faiths and cultures. Our RE, PSHCE teaching reinforces this. Members of different faiths or cultures are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.