British Values

What is the intent of British Values at Meadows?

Values are principles which guide our thinking and behaviour. Alongside our Values-based Education, British Values further underpin and combine with our Meadows Expectations and Curriculum to ensure that socially and morally our children are enabled to aspire, grow and flourish in their lives in modern Britain.

We were delighted to welcome the Member of Parliament for Telford and Wrekin into school on Friday 8th November 2024. Meadows was the first school for Shaun Davies MP to visit since becoming a Member of Parliament. We were delighted to tour Shaun and show him some of our new provisions. Mr P also took time to share his views on the challenges schools are facing at this time - it is important we share our views to make things better for our school, community and beyond.

Huge thanks to Shaun, who very kindly donated a new book about Democracy, to our library.

How do we achieve this intent at Meadows?

The main teaching principles for students learning about British values are:

• Encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied.

• Enable children to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law system.

• Enable children to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem, and self-confidence.

• Encourage children to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and to society more widely.

• Enable children to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services.

• Further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling students to acquire an appreciation for and respect for their own and other cultures.

• Encourage respect for other people.

  What are British Values?

British values were first introduced in schools and early years settings in 2014 when the Department for Education (DfE) published its British values guidance, stating the purpose as: 'to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.' The guidance states that all independent and state-maintained schools have a duty to promote British values.

British values are considered important as they form an important element of safeguarding children, as they are intended as a preventative measure against extremism and radicalisation.

The five British Values can be seen below:

How are British Values implemented at Meadows?

Democracy

Children, parents, and staff have the right to have their voices heard at Meadows. This is achieved through a pupil-elected school council, safeguarding squad and healthy lifestyle crew. These class representatives raise issues, suggest ideas and work proactively for improvements in our school. Parents and carers are also given the opportunity to express points of view through an open door policy, opportunity to meet with Senior Leaders daily, Headteacher's Tea Parties and parent and carer questionnaires.

The rule of law

The importance of law and rules is a foundation of our excellent behaviour at Meadows. All in our school family are enabled to understand our Meadows Expectations and Values-Based Education. These combine to equip children with principles to positively guide their thinking and their behaviour. 

Our curriculum is underpinned by four highly relevant world issues, known as the four Cs. One of these is 'conflict'. In teaching topics within which 'conflict' is a golden thread, we nurture peaceful, respectful and united young people. These topics, alongside our PSHE Curriculum, teaches the reasons behind rules and laws, how they govern and protect us, and the consequences of what happens when these laws are broken.

Annual guest speakers to our school including our local Police Community Support Officer and Parish Councillors allows children to further explore how 'the rule of law' improves their lives.

Individual liberty

Just like the flowers of a meadow, we are all different and unique,
but together, we create a masterpiece. #MagnificentMeadows

We promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs in a safe environment in our school. We are committed to enabling children to respectfully disagree. We teach children to take responsibility for their behaviour and support them in understanding 'the rights of the child'. We encourage our children to become as independent as possible and provide them with a Safeguarding Curriculum which enables them to know how to keep themselves safe.

Mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths or beliefs

Meadows is a proud school family made up of a diverse range of people. Our School Logo offers a nod to our diversity in the appearance of seven different coloured flowers. Diversity is celebrated at Meadows.

Our curriculum is underpinned by four highly relevant world issues, known as the four Cs. One of these is culture. In teaching topics within which 'culture' is a golden thread, we nurture accepting, tolerant broad-minded individuals who respect the cultures, backgrounds and traditions of others.

Children in our school are given regular opportunities to learn about different cultures and beliefs, reinforcing messages of respect and tolerance in British Values. This will also allow them to understand that others may have religions and beliefs that differ from their own and to respect these differing viewpoints.