British Values Statement

At Copthorne Community Infant School we value the diversity of backgrounds of all pupils, families and wider school community. 

The Department for Education states that there is a 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 Department for Education defines British Values as follows:

• Respect for democracy and support or participation in the democratic process
• Respect for the basis on which the law is made and applies in England
• Support for equality of opportunity for all
• Support and respect for the liberties of all within the law
• Respect for and tolerance of different faiths and religious and other beliefs

Our school reflects British values in all that we do.  We aim to nurture our children on their journey through life so they can grow into safe, caring, democratic, responsible and tolerant adults who make a positive difference to British society and to the world. We encourage our children to be creative, unique, open-minded and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and of others in our school, our local community and the wider world.  

 At Copthorne, we actively promote British values in the following ways:

Democracy

• All children are encouraged to express their views and make a meaningful contribution to the running of the school on matters that directly involve pupils. 
• Children also have the opportunity to have their voices heard through pupil questionnaires and pupil surveys.
• The school council are elected through a whole school vote and are involved in all major decisions in school.
• Copthorne children have had active involvement in the selection processes of new staff.

Rule of Law

• Our school embeds ‘Key Characteristics’, which are integral to our learning and ethos every day.
• School rules and expectations are clear, fair and regularly promoted.
• Children are always helped to distinguish right from wrong, in the classroom, during assemblies and on the playground.
• Pupils are encouraged to respect the law and Copthorne enjoys visits from authorities such as the Police, Fire Service, Ambulance, etc. to help reinforce this message

Individual Liberty

• Within school, children are actively encouraged, and given the freedom to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment, eg. by signing up for extra-curricular clubs.
• Children are supported to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour and learn from their mistakes and make the right choices.
• Children are encouraged to know, understand and explore their own personal rights and are helped to exercise these safely, for example through our online safety teaching and PSHE lessons.
• Vulnerable children are protected and stereotypes challenged.  A strong anti-bullying culture is embedded in the school and any form of bullying is challenged and addressed.  The school also operates a robust system of logging incidents.
• Children have key roles and responsibilities in school e.g playground friends

 Mutual Respect and Tolerance of Those With Different Faiths and Beliefs

• Respect is one of the core values of our school.  The children know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone, adults and children.
• Children are helped to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life.
• Links and visits are promoted with local faith communities and places of worship. E.g. Members of different faiths or religions are invited to school to share their knowledge and enhance learning within assemblies and in class.
• Through the PSHE and RE curriculums children are encouraged to discuss and respect differences between people, such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability or gender and differences of family situations.
• We offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which other religions are studied and respected.  These curriculum topics offer children the chance to reflect on our core values and British values.