Chiltern Gate School
Towards a Bright Future
British Values
Promoting British Values at Chiltern Gate School
The DfE have recently reinforced 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.”
“Acceptance and engagement with 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 pupils develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will
allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.
Schools are expected to focus on, and be able to show, how our work with pupils is
effective in embedding fundamental British values.
The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy,
and these values have been reiterated by the Prime Minister this year. At Chiltern
Gate School these values are reinforced regularly. The values are integral to our
long-standing mission statement which complements British values:
Our Mission Statement
At Chiltern Gate School we believe in providing an education that gives our pupils a
Bright Future. We strive to develop adaptable, confident, resilient, courageous and
respectful learners who have the ability to reach their potential, whatever their
starting point. We look to nurture functional and relevant skills through a creative,
challenging and socially appropriate curriculum, provided in a secure, stimulating
and supportive environment. We have high expectations of all who are part of our
school, including pupils, staff, parents and visitors from the community. We
encourage cooperative relationships with all who walk through our doors with our
shared aim: to enable better outcomes for our pupils; to give them a Bright Future.
We actively 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.
Below are just a few examples of how we promote British values:
Democracy
The ability to communicate is one of the most important areas of learning. At CGS
we ensure that pupils are given a ‘voice’ to communicate whether this be through
spoken word or assisted communication.
Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully to each
other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard.
We encourage pupils to take ownership of their own learning and progress.
Pupils also have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School
Council which meets regularly. Children are elected by their peers to represent their
class’s views and opinions. The School Council are actively involved in recruitment
of new staff in providing feedback.
The Rule of Law
The importance of rules and laws are reinforced and promoted through our ‘School
Rules’, school merit system and school assemblies. Reflecting on behaviour choices
plays a fundamental role in every child being able to learn in a safe and ordered
environment. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern
and protect us and the responsibilities that this involves. The aims of our school
rules are:
 To manage pupils’ behaviour constructively, positively and consistently while
respecting their rights to express emotion and make personal choices.
 To encourage pupils where possible to manage their own behaviour.
 To develop appropriate, acceptable behaviours in different environments.
 To show a caring attitude towards peers and adults.
 To respect the privacy and possessions of others.
 To involve parents, professionals and others in ensuring consistent
approaches to managing behaviour.
 To give staff the confidence that they are managing pupils’ behaviour in an
acceptable and consistent manner through appropriate training and support.
 To respect and be supportive of behaviour management /positive handling
plans within their own and others classes.
We encourage students to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative,
and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and
working in the locality of the school and to society more widely;
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 young pupils to make choices safety, through of provision of a safe
environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know,
understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to
exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons.
Children are encouraged to make choices around their participation in extracurricular activities.
We support others by participating in charitable events on a regular basis for
example Sport Relief, Children in Need, Jeans for Genes Day.
We strive for independence from our pupils and appreciate the self-knowledge, selfesteem and self-confidence that this brings.
Mutual Respect
Our mission statement reads: We strive to develop adaptable, confident, resilient,
courageous and respectful learners. This is at the heart of the school. We are a
culturally diverse school and we are proud to promote and celebrate our different
backgrounds and beliefs. Recently, we held a ‘Food Fayre’ in school to promote
foods from different cultures around the world.
CGS is actively involved within the community and regularly holds events to bring
the whole community together for example; summer fete, Christmas Fete, boot sale,
sports events, school singing day, and bag packing at local supermarket. It is
important to us that we facilitate opportunities for all pupils, staff and parents.
Children learn about treating others with respect through the curriculum and
specifically in RE lessons and in PSED, school assemblies and WOW events where
we develop awareness and appreciation of other cultures
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
CGS serves as a multi-faith community where each person is respected and valued
equally without regard to ability, gender, faith, heritage or race. Tolerance of those
of different faiths and beliefs is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of
their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to
experience such diversity. Assemblies and work involving prejudices and prejudicebased bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE.
Anti-bullying week runs annually and allows pupils the opportunity to explore
definitions of bullying, what pupils should do and allows pupils the ability to support
others in their community. Pupils must be encouraged to regard people of all faiths,
races and cultures with respect and tolerance.
Cultural appreciation and development forms part of our curriculum. We place great
emphasis on providing experiences and participation in events and celebrations to
broaden all pupils’ experiences and awareness of others.
The staff work closely with parents, carers and other professionals to ensure that the
pupils at CGS are happy, well cared for and enabled to learn the skills they needs to
live a fulfilling life as part of their community.