British Values Statement
Ashurst CE Aided Primary School nurtures a strong sense of belonging and is committed to supporting children to develop an understanding of what it means to be a citizen of Britain and the responsibility that citizenship brings. We seek to ensure young people leave our school prepared for life in modern Britain as members of society who treat others with respect and tolerance, regardless of background, faith, race or culture.
We recognise the statutory requirement to promote British Values as a part of the curriculum and understand the vital role we have in ensuring groups or individuals within any environment are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.
The Key British Values are:
• democracy
• rule of law
• individual liberty
• mutual respect
• tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
Here are some of the ways that we promote British Values at Ashurst CE Aided Primary School:
There are weekly whole school Picture News Worship and class follow up assemblies. These draw on current real world news events and illustrate how British Values shape the world they live in. Each week the news story is connected to a British Value, at least one Protected Characteristic, and reflects one of the UN Rights of the Child. This approach not only helps children understand British Values, Protected Characteristics and their rights, but also encourages them to think critically about how these concepts affect both their own lives and the lives of others. Through these discussions children can begin to make sense of the world around them, recognise their place and role within it, and develop the skills of critical thinking and empathy.
Democracy
Democracy is a vital part of our school and children are encouraged to voice their views and concerns in class learning and in whole school assemblies and Collective Worship. Every autumn, we elect our Young Ashurst Governors. These six children are elected by their peers from Y1-Y6. The elections are carried out strictly, using ballot papers, polling booths and registers so that children experience what a real election looks like and gain first-hand experience of democracy. A member of staff acts as Returning Officer and delivers the results.
The YAGs meet with the Headteacher half termly bring ideas and canvas opinions from their classes. For example, the YAGs voted which charities the school would support and the name of our outdoor woodland learning space. They designed and chose new playground markings and proposed new additions to playground equipment. They have developed and planted a herb garden, collected and packed food boxes for a local charity, met with our local MP and raised his awareness of their views on local policing and environmental issues. Our KS2 regularly join ‘Learn with Lords Online- Parliament UK Education’ to develop their understanding of democracy and law.
Rule of Law
We meet annually as a whole school to discuss our ‘School Expectations’, (so named because as a child pointed out; ‘we all know what we should be doing and what is expected of us.’) Each year, older children explain the expectations to our new or younger children and refinements and additions are discussed, voted on and agreed. Children work together to agree expectations linked to their Jigsaw PSHE for their own individual classroom charters at the start of each academic year and these, like our ‘School Expectations,’ are displayed prominently to remind us of all of what we have agreed.
In this way, children both learn about and share the responsibility for making sure the expectations are upheld. Children are taught the reasons for the laws and regulations that protect and govern us as well as the consequences of breaking laws and the need for restorative justice. Visits from past pupils who work in the Police help reinforce the message that laws and rules are in place to protect everyone and that whilst different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law.
Our Positive Behaviour Policy is designed so that every member of the school community will feel valued and respected, and each person will be treated fairly. Children at Ashurst are known for upholding our expectations and their positive behaviour is often commented on by members of the public and visitors to the school.
Individual Liberty
Within our school, children are encouraged to make choices and express opinions, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. It is about building resilience, persevering and never giving up. Our Collective Worship and Picture News Worship is 'invitational' and we encourage all present to share opinions and think about big questions. We offer a range of free after school clubs and physical activities that encourage independence, self-esteem and self confidence that children can choose to join. Also, at several points in the year, we have days when children can express their individuality through the clothes they wear such as World Book Day, Comic Relief and Red Nose Day. Our Well Being Days provide children and adults to choose activities that they are interested in and support their mental health and wellbeing. We discuss different choices that the children can make and encourage them to make the right choices. Through E-safety, we teach the importance of keeping yourself safe by restricting which information we share.
Mutual Respect
We encourage children and adults at Ashurst to share a respect for each other, their environment and the wider community. This is evident in the warm welcome we extend to all visitors, trades and newly arrived children and their families. It is shown in the way we treat other people in the way we would want to be treated. We celebrate and respect each other’s interests and achievements both in and out of school with our families at the half termly Celebration Assemblies. These are opportunities for children to congratulate others’ successes and to receive acknowledgement from their peers.
Our school statement of ‘Learning together through Love, Hope and Joy’ highlights our togetherness and commitment to building a community based mutual respect and kindness towards all. Our Positive Behaviour Policy supports this, and it is strengthened through Collective Worship, Jigsaw PSHE assemblies, and the daily life of our school.
Tolerance of those with different Faiths and Beliefs
Our broad and ambitious curriculum provides opportunities to explore diverse faiths and different cultures. Given the limited ethnic diversity in our local community, we actively expose children to examples that help them understand the wider world. We achieve this by incorporating stories and perspectives from various faiths into our RE learning and by inviting visitors either in person or via technology who offer different viewpoints, answer our questions and help further develop our understanding. Through our curriculum, children learn about inspirational figures such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Corrie Ten Boom and Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, who demonstrated courage in challenging the situations and discrimination they faced. Our RE teaching is carefully structured to ensure each faith we teach is approached with equal respect and reverence.
At Ashurst children are encouraged to look for similarities between themselves and others while also understanding and respecting differences. We pride ourselves in challenging stereotypes and discrimination and engage in positive discussions where children can frame and express their thoughts and opinions.
Reviewed and revised:
September 2025