British Values

"To be born British is to win first prize in the lottery of life" Cecil Rhodes

All schools have a responsibility “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.”

At Hextable Primary School, some of our classes are named after famous British icons (Victoria, Wren, Dickens, Churchill, Elizabeth, Shakespeare, Nightingale) and all of our houses are named after famous Olympians (Wiggins, Redgrave, Holmes, Ennis, Adlington, Hoy).

We also promote these values in the following ways:

Democracy:

At the beginning of each year children affirm the school’s expectations and the rights and responsibilities associated with these.  We have a School Council to which members are voted in each year by their peers. Children understand that a place on the School Council comes with the responsibility of representing their peers’ needs and interests. We encourage children to be leaders throughout the school and we have a number of activities and responsibilities that are undertaken by the children. For example, we have our House Captains, again voted in by the whole school, and our buddies who help support children across the school. Democracy is taught during assemblies and during circle times and class-based PSHE sessions.

The Rule of Law

Behaviour and safety at Hextable are consistently good and are seen as a priority. The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced.  Pupils are taught from Year R 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

Hextable is a safe place for children and cultivates an atmosphere in which children can make choices about their school life in a 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 eSafety and PSHE lessons.  

From the very start of their school-life children are encouraged to challenge their personal best by giving them ownership of their own learning. Children regularly have next steps shared with them, whether verbally or with written feedback in books so they know exactly what they can do to progress.

Mutual Respect

The ethos of our school nurtures an understanding of mutual respect and it underpins the engaging and exciting teaching and learning that happens here.   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 and follow the key words you will find painted around our main hall.

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.   We regularly hold whole-school assemblies to celebrate and learn about religious festivals that happen throughout the school year.  Our core values ensure children develop compassion and respect for all.

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