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, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.”

At Cawthorne, British Values sit harmoniously alongside our own Christian Values to ensure that we develop well rounded individuals who have a strong moral compass and are prepared for the life in modern Britain. We aim to nurture our children on their journey through life so they can grow into safe, caring, democratic, responsible and understanding adults who make a positive contribution to British society and beyond. We encourage our children to be unique, open-minded and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and of others in our school, our local community and the wider world. 

At Cawthorne, we actively promote British Values in the following ways:

Democracy

A culture built upon freedom and equity, where everyone is aware of their rights and responsibilities.

Psalm 67:4 "Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth."

The promotion of democracy is extensive within our school. Children have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our House Captains, School Council, Wellbeing Ambassadors, and children's surveys. Children in each class vote for the children they want to represent them on School Council. Our children have many roles and responsibilities within their classes and across our school. They are also consulted and contribute to developments cross school in order to make improvements, for example the choice of after school clubs available, supported charities and outdoor provision.

The Rule of Law

The need for rules to make a happy, safe and secure environment to live and work.

Joshua 1:7 "Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go."

The importance of justice and 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 and through school collective worship times. Our children are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits to Crucial Crew and from authorities such as the Emergency Services help to reinforce these key messages.

Individual Liberty

Protection of your rights and the rights of others around you.

John 8:32 “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Within our school, children are actively encouraged to make choices and take controlled risks, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. We encourage our children to learn from their mistakes so that resilience and independence are developed.  Our children are also encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights, opinions and personal freedoms through our PSHE curriculum, collective worship themes and enrichment opportunities, for example: charity work, through ESafety; when signing up for extra-curricular clubs; choosing the level of challenge and deciding what to present in Class Worship.

Tolerance Different Faiths And Beliefs

Understanding and accepting that we all don’t share the same beliefs and values.

This is achieved through enhancing our children's understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience this. Worship allows the sharing of key messages and themes which are then followed up and embedded in class through our Religious Education and PSHE curriculums. Children visit places of worship where members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning experiences. We also use enrichment and calendared opportunities such as Cultural Heritage Day, Antibullying Week, key religious festivals and sporting events to learn about other countries, faiths, cultures and customs.

Mutual Respect

Respecting those values, ideas and beliefs of others whilst not imposing our own onto them.

Matthew 7:12 - "So in everything, do unto others what you would have them do to you.” 

As a Church of England school, our ethos is based around this Golden Rule and the core Christian Values of community, respect and love. Our parable of the Good Samaritan permeates all aspects of school life and helps our children to understand the notion of respecting difference and demonstrating love and compassion towards others so that they "Love your neighbour as yourself." . Regular opportunities are promoted throughout school that allow our children to demonstrate respect to themselves, everyone and everything in the world that God created. Wellbeing Ambassadors share key messages across school; children have opportunities to listen to and accept different opinions;  cultural experiences allow the exploration and acceptance of difference while Worship themes develop a deep respect for the world in which our children live.