Northfield 47

British Values

Northfield actively promotes fundamental British values including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

British values underpin the school's Life Skills provision and the spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development of our pupils.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths, Beliefs and Cultures

Our pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance. Pupils understand that while different people may hold different views about what is 'right' and 'wrong', all people living in England are subject to its law. Pupils at the school are made aware of the difference between the law of the land and religious law. The school's ethos and teaching supports the rule of English civil and criminal law. The school will challenge opinions or behaviours that are contrary to fundamental British values.

Through the curriculum and extra-curricular activities pupils acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures.

Individual Liberty/Rule of Law

In R.E., Life Skills and other subjects, students at the school gain an understanding that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law and an appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens and is essential for their wellbeing and safety.

Democracy

Through its Life Skills provision, pupils are made aware of how citizens can influence decision-making through participation in the democratic process. Pupils are actively encouraged to engage in the democratic process by electing representatives to the school council, participate in Parliamentary Debate Week, as well as mock elections. Local MP, Alex Cunningham, and local councillors regularly visit the school to actively encourage pupils to participate in the democratic process.

Over the past few years, the school council has been influential in changes to the school, including voting for a new school uniform, designing the the rebuilding of the pupils' entrance of the school and selecting the school's annual charity. Twice a term, the Junior Leadership Team represent students at Senior Management Team meetings.The school's award winning Anti-Bullying programme and Peer Supporters actively promote understanding of the importance of identifying and combatting discrimination of any kind.

Below are some quotes from our pupils illustrating what British values mean to them:

Being British to me means to be respectful to the Royal Family, to be tolerant of others even when I don’t agree, to understand the history of Britain and to have freedom.
(Anna)

Being British to me means having a democratic vote and freedom. Freedom to live where you want and do the things you want within the law and also the freedom of speech. Although everyone should respect each other’s views and opinions. 
(Lucy)

Being British means to be a multi-cultural society which has freedom and where it is a democracy which is tolerant towards people speaking out against anyone but doing it peacefully. 
(Fane)

Being British to me means having freedom and human rights mainly because we are a multicultural democracy also to be respectful and tolerant towards others.
(Emma)

Being British to me means being born in Britain and to tolerate people’s political and social views but also be multi-cultural.
(Lewis)

Being British to me means that you have to be respectful to those who speak and live their lives in the UK. It also means we have the freedom of speech & movement.
(Terry)

Being British to me means to be respectful and friendly to different people and to be able to have freedom. E.g. Freedom of Speech.
(Erin)

Being British to me means everyone in Britain has freedom of speech, and most people grow up to be very respectful and with tolerance.
(Joanne)

Being British to me means that you either live in Britain or a born in Britain. Furthermore, you need to respect Britain and can be from any culture to be British. 
(Alex)

Being British mean to respect because you have to respect other people and what they say and believe. Being British means to allow people to believe in what they like. It also means to be free and peaceful (it also means to have tea). 
(Luke)

Being British to me means that we have the freedom of speech and we are run by a democracy. We have a multi-cultural country as we have many cultures. Also we have respect for everyone around us.
(Cloe)

Being British to me means, that you respect each other, the law and yourself. Having freedom to speech and movement. Plus, tolerating other people’s view on society, whilst knowing that your opinion can be different to others.
(Olivia)

Being British to me means that you have respect towards other people and other people’s religions. You tolerate other people and religions and you don’t offend other peoples opinions and beliefs, and thoughts about the democracy. Always be happy and you also have the freedom of speech and movement but don’t abuse it.
(Alex)

Being British to me means to treat others with respect and to be proud of the multicultural society. It also means to tolerate and accept the democracy and to have freedom.
(Libby)

Being British means having freedom in the country, but respecting democratic laws. Also to have tolerance with everyone and treating them with equality, e.g. multicultures.
(Regan)

Being British to me means that you should respect the laws and the democracy. Also you should be fair to everybody and treat everyone equally, (e.g. multicultural). Finally, I think that everybody has the right of freedom/speech.
(Zoe)

To me being British means showing other people respect and tolerance. Also I think it means accepting our democracy and multicultural society. Furthermore it means rightly using the freedom we have been given.
(Stephanie)

Being British to me means being a democracy, having a fair government election with the freedom to voice your opinion. It also means tolerance and respect towards other around you due to our country being multicultural. Britain is also a very traditional country so people should also respect this.
(Holly)

To me, being British means having respect and tolerance for the multicultural society and associated traditions and having freedom of speech, while not invoking fear or hatred.
(Lucy)

I think that being British means being respectful to each other and having tolerance for people and their views. I think freedom is also a big part of being British because everyone has freedom of speech. Britain is also a democracy and multicultural.
(Jamie-leigh)

Being British to me means that we have respect towards others and things around us. Also it means we have a freedom of speech, we can say what we think with a tolerance of it not being harmful to others.
(Ellie)

I think that being British where you respect democracy, people`s cultures and other people’s rights in your community.  It also means you have freedom of speech.
(Lauren)