At Kirby Hill Church of England Primary School we uphold and teach pupils about British Values which are defined as: 

•    Democracy 
•    Rule of law
•    Individual liberty
•    Mutual respect 
•    Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

These values are taught explicitly through PSHE lessons and Religious Education (RE). We also teach British Values through planning and delivering a broad and balanced curriculum with Character Education being woven throughout. Our ACHIEVE curriculum explicitly links British Values to our Geography or History Units which act as the driver for non-core learning each half-term. 

The school takes opportunities to actively promote British Values through daily collective worship and whole school systems and structures such as electing and running a successful School Council. We also actively promote British Values through ensuring that our curriculum planning and delivery includes real opportunities for exploring these values.

 Democracy

Democracy is an important value at our school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council. The elections of members of the School Council are based on pupil votes. 

Democracy is instilled in our pupils as a fair way for making decisions right from our youngest pupils to our oldest pupils. Pupils vote for school council members as well as taking part in mock elections. This supports pupils to understand how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process. Our youngest pupils will often choose the story that will be read in class by voting. Our Year 6 pupils take part in a local debating competition where they must prepare a speech and be ready to refute arguments on the spot using the facts and research they have prepared. Children are taught to use statements such as ‘I agree with/ I disagree with’ to encourage respectful discussions in PSHE but also in other areas of the curriculum such as maths, science and English.

Our School Council is able to genuinely effect change within the school and are actively involved in the recruitment of Teaching and non-teaching staff in school.

The Rule of Law 

The importance of laws and rules, whether they are 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 Collective Worship. 

Our pupils know that rules are important. Each class creates its own set of class rules within the first week and these are displayed in classrooms. During this process, children are given a sense of ownership over the rules they will follow in their classroom to help create a climate for learning.

Our system for behaviour is aligned to an agreed set of codes and if children are given verbal warnings this is always set against the agreed school behaviour code (RRSK:Ready, Respectful, Safe, Kind). 

Children are asked to identify which aspect of the RRSK code they have broken to ensure that this connection is made and understood.

Children are also aware of laws which affect our country and are aware of the consequences of when these laws are broken. We arrange visits from authorities such as the police who talk to our pupils about relevant topics for their future such as how to stay safe online. Pupils 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 from authorities such as the police, fire service etc. are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.

To encourage and promote good behaviour, attitude and work, we have devised a reward system which is consistently followed throughout the school. We are committed to praising children’s efforts.  We endeavour to praise the children informally, individually, during group work, in front of the whole class and the whole school.  Children are rewarded not only for achievement in curriculum areas, but also for behaviour and demonstration of Christian Values. Rewards are given in the form of stickers, head teacher awards and certificates.  Children’s achievements are also recognised during Collective Worship. Our weekly Celebration Assembly recognises role models of RRSK and presents one child with the Effort Shield - a special award for a child who has put in that extra effort to live our school vision. 
At the end of the year we present 7 children with Christian Value Trophies for embodying that Christian Values in all aspects of school life. 

The school aims to provide an appreciation that living under the rule of law protects pupils and is essential for their safety and well-being. 

Individual Liberty

Pupils are actively encouraged to make choices at our school, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we provide boundaries for our children to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and planned curriculum.

Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-Safety teaching and PHSE education.

Pupils are given the freedom to make choices, e.g. signing up for extra-curricular clubs. EYFS pupils are given the freedom to self-select their learning activities - 'choosing time'. All pupils are encouraged to make personal choices about the food they eat.

In each classroom there is a wonder wall on which pupils are encouraged to question and think about situations around the world. They are encouraged to think about what isright and wrong and what their rights are in the world. Through PSHE, as well as otherareas of our curriculum, pupils learn and find out about inspirational leaders. They find out about the differences they have made to the world by standing up for what they believe is right. Our KS2 pupils can ‘be the change they want to see’ in our local community by taking part in the Archbishop of York's Young Leaders Award.

Mutual Respect

Respect is one of the Christian Values at our school. We place high importance on this value and ensure that pupils have respect for themselves, their families and their friends. Throughout our programmes for RE, PSHE, Collective Worship and SMSC we promote and celebrate the diversity in our society and the right for each person to be respected and valued equally regardless of gender, faith, heritage, ability or race. We invite visitors from different backgrounds into school to celebrate the diversity of Britain.

Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy are based around our core Christian Values which determine how we live as a community at Kirby Hill. Collective Worship is based on ‘Christian Foundation’ which are central to how we expect everyone to go about their life at our school.

Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others.

In PE the children take part in training and many compete in tournaments. The value of the training and tournaments is sportsmanship. Children are reminded to show mutual respect towards other players at all times. 

Tolerance of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Throughout our programmes for RE, PSHE, Collective Worship and SMSC we promote and celebrate the diversity in our society and the right for each person to be respected and valued equally regardless of gender, faith, heritage, ability or race. We invite visitors from different backgrounds into school to celebrate the diversity of Britain.

This is achieved through enhancing pupils’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity.

Collective Worship and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE.