Promoting British Values at KWPS

At Kirkham and Wesham Primary School, we are committed to preparing our children to become confident, respectful and responsible citizens who are ready for life in modern Britain. British Values are an integral part of our school ethos and are embedded throughout our curriculum, assemblies, enrichment opportunities and everyday school life.

Promoting British Values also supports our safeguarding curriculum by helping children recognise prejudice, challenge discrimination, celebrate diversity and understand how to keep themselves and others safe.

These values underpin our vision of helping every child to Belong, Believe and Be the Best They Can Be. They also support our school values of kindness, resilience, equity, honesty, responsibility and pride, helping children develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to make a positive contribution to society.

We promote the five fundamental British Values identified by the Department for Education:

  • Democracy
  • The Rule of Law
  • Individual Liberty
  • Mutual Respect
  • Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

British Values in Action

Children experience British Values every day through:

  • School Council elections
  • Eco Committee
  • Reading Champions
  • Kindness Ambassadors
  • Year 6 Prefects
  • Educational visits
  • Residential visits
  • Charity fundraising
  • Harvest Festival
  • Children in Need
  • Red Nose Day
  • Remembrance Day
  • Sports competitions
  • Restorative conversations
  • Collaborative learning
  • Class discussions
  • Pupil voice

How We Promote British Values at KWPS

Democracy

Democracy is experienced throughout school life. Children elect representatives to our School Council and apply for leadership roles such as Reading Champions, Eco Committee members, Kindness Ambassadors and Year 6 Prefects. Pupils are encouraged to share their ideas, vote on decisions and contribute to improving our school community. Through PSHE, assemblies and the wider curriculum, children learn about democracy and the importance of every voice being heard.

The Rule of Law

Children learn from the earliest age that rules and laws help to keep us safe, happy and able to learn together. Our school behaviour expectations of Ready, Respect and Safe provide a clear framework that helps children understand the importance of making positive choices, taking responsibility for their actions and respecting others.

Through our PSHE curriculum, assemblies and daily school life, pupils learn why rules and laws exist, how they protect individuals and communities, and the consequences when they are not followed. We use restorative conversations to help children reflect on their actions, repair relationships and understand the impact of their behaviour on others.

Children also develop their understanding of the wider legal system through history, visits from local police officers and other community professionals, and discussions about keeping themselves and others safe, both in school and online. Leadership opportunities, such as our Year 6 Prefects, also help pupils understand the importance of responsibility, fairness and leading by example.

Individual Liberty

At Kirkham and Wesham Primary School, we encourage children to become confident, independent learners who make informed choices and take responsibility for their actions. Pupils are encouraged to express their views respectfully, develop their interests through clubs and leadership opportunities, and challenge themselves both inside and outside the classroom. Through PSHE, online safety and our wider curriculum, children learn how to make safe, healthy and responsible choices while respecting the rights and freedoms of others.

Mutual Respect
Mutual respect is at the heart of our school community. Through our school values, behaviour expectations of Ready, Respect and Safe, and restorative approaches, children learn to value themselves and others. They are encouraged to listen carefully, work collaboratively, celebrate differences and show kindness and empathy in everything they do. Respect is modelled by staff and demonstrated through positive relationships across the school.

Tolerance of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
We actively celebrate the rich diversity of our school community. Through RE lessons, PSHE, assemblies and celebrations of different cultural events, children learn about and show respect for the beliefs and lifestyles of others. We explore key religious festivals and traditions from many world religions to encourage understanding and appreciation.

Active Citizenship

At Kirkham and Wesham Primary School, we encourage our pupils to become active, responsible citizens who understand the importance of making a positive contribution to their school, local community and wider society.

Throughout the year, children take part in a range of activities that help them develop a sense of responsibility, compassion and community spirit. These include supporting local charities and food banks through our Harvest Festival collection, fundraising for national charities such as Children in Need and Comic Relief, marking Remembrance Day, participating in Safer Internet Day and taking part in environmental projects through our Eco Committee.

Pupils also contribute to school life through leadership roles such as School Council, Eco Committee, Reading Champions, Kindness Ambassadors and Year 6 Prefects. These opportunities help children develop leadership skills, understand the importance of serving others and recognise that everyone can make a positive difference within their community.

Through these experiences, our pupils learn that being an active citizen means showing kindness, responsibility and respect, working together to improve the lives of others and making positive choices that reflect our school values.

Learning Through the Curriculum

Across the curriculum, children are given opportunities to explore British life, history, geography and culture. British Values are woven throughout our broad and ambitious curriculum. Examples include:

  • In geography, children learn about UK landmarks, coasts, rivers and how Britain fits into the wider world.
  • In history, we study key events and figures such as the Great Fire of London, Florence Nightingale, the Tudors, and World War II.
  • Through English, PSHE, and themed weeks, children explore current issues, develop critical thinking, and reflect on what it means to live in a fair and democratic society.

At Kirkham and Wesham Primary School, British Values are not simply taught—they are lived every day. Through positive relationships, meaningful experiences and opportunities to contribute to school life, we help every child become a respectful, resilient and responsible citizen who is ready to make a positive contribution to modern Britain and the wider world.

Cross-Curricular British Values Map 

British Value 

Subject Areas 

Examples & Links 

Democracy 

PSHE, History, English, Assemblies 

School Council elections, voting on class rules, debating topics in English 

Rule of Law 

PSHE, History, PE, Computing 

Understanding classroom/school rules, Law in Roman Britain, rules in team games, online safety expectations 

Individual Liberty 

PSHE, RE, Art, English 

Making choices in school life, personal beliefs, expressing identity in Art, writing about personal experiences 

Mutual Respect 

PSHE, RE, English, Geography 

Group discussions, learning about diverse communities, respect for others’ opinions, teamwork activities 

Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs 

PSHE, RE, Music, Geography 

Learning about world religions, visiting places of worship, exploring music from different cultures, festivals around the world 

 

British Values in EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) 

British Value 

EYFS Area 

Links and Examples 

Democracy 

PSED, Understanding the World 

Turn-taking, voting for story choices, circle time listening and turn-taking 

Rule of Law 

PSED, Communication and Language 

Learning routines, understanding right from wrong, stories with consequences 

Individual Liberty 

PSED, Expressive Arts & Design 

Choosing own activities, expressing preferences, independent decisions in play 

Mutual Respect 

PSED, Communication and Language, UW 

Cooperative play, celebrating differences, group discussions 

Tolerance 

Understanding the World, RE, EAD 

Learning about other cultures/religions, family traditions, multicultural stories