British Values

British Values Statement

Our Christian Distinctiveness and Commitment

At St Oswald’s CE Aided Primary & Nursery School, our vision “Together we learn to love and shine” is rooted in our Christian values of Courage, Compassion and Thankfulness. These shape our daily life together and underpin our commitment to preparing children for life in modern Britain. In line with the Department for Education’s guidance, we actively promote the fundamental British Values:

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

We ensure these values are woven through our ethos, curriculum, worship, relationships and behaviour culture.

How We Promote British Values at St Oswald’s

1. Democracy

Democracy is an integral part of life at St Oswald’s. Children learn that their opinions matter and that they have a voice in shaping their school experience.

We achieve this by:

Holding School Council elections where pupils vote for representatives in a way that mirrors the British electoral process.
Providing regular opportunities for pupil voice, including surveys, class discussions and feedback linked to worship and curriculum themes.
Embedding democratic decision‑making in classroom life, such as shared rule‑setting, choosing class incentives, and discussing community issues.

Through these opportunities pupils learn how to participate responsibly in democratic processes both in school and beyond.

2. The Rule of Law

Understanding rules, responsibilities and consequences is essential for creating a safe and successful school community.

At St Oswald’s we:

Co‑create class charters with children to ensure ownership and clarity.
Teach why rules and laws exist, how they protect us, and what happens when they are broken.
Reinforce expectations through our school behaviour policy, worship themes and restorative conversations.
Work alongside services such as Police and Fire Service, helping children understand safety, justice and community responsibility.

This helps children develop a strong moral compass consistent with both Christian and British Values.

3. Individual Liberty

Pupils are encouraged to make informed, responsible choices within safe boundaries.

We promote individual liberty by:

Ensuring pupils understand their rights and personal freedoms, supported by teaching in PSHE, RSE, history, online safety, collective worship and special assemblies.
Encouraging children to take increasing responsibility for their learning, faith reflections and class roles.
Providing a wide range of opportunities — clubs, leadership roles, performances, sport, and enrichment — that enable children to express preferences and develop independence.
Emphasising the importance of safe, respectful choices within a Christian framework of dignity and self‑worth.

4. Mutual Respect

Respect must be shown to everyone regardless of background or difference, and we reflect this deeply at St Oswald’s.
We promote mutual respect through:

Daily interactions that model kindness, active listening and appreciation of others.
Collective worship that highlights Jesus’ teachings on love, service and community.
Behaviour expectations that reinforce respect for people, property and learning.
Celebrating achievements and contributions across the school, recognising that each person is uniquely valued by God.

5. Tolerance of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

As a Church of England school which welcomes pupils of all faiths and none, we place a strong emphasis on understanding and valuing diversity.

We promote tolerance by:

Teaching RE using the Durham Diocese syllabus, ensuring pupils explore Christianity alongside other world faiths and non‑religious worldviews.
Welcoming visitors from different faith communities and arranging visits to places of worship.
Encouraging children to explore global issues, cultures and traditions through themed curriculum weeks, literature, and assemblies.
Supporting charitable causes and service projects that highlight our shared responsibility for others.

This equips children to flourish in a diverse and interconnected world.

British Values in Our Curriculum and Worship

British Values are integrated across:

PSHE/RSE, where children learn about rights, responsibilities, relationships and community.
RE, where children explore faith, belief, ethics, and respectful dialogue.
Collective worship, which connects biblical teaching with themes such as justice, forgiveness and compassion.
Wider curriculum opportunities, including news discussions, history, geography, and global citizenship.

This approach ensures that British Values are “lived” rather than simply taught.

Monitoring and Review

Our senior leaders and governors monitor the promotion of British Values through curriculum review, worship evaluation, pupil voice and behaviour monitoring. This ensures the values remain embedded throughout school life.