Great Bookham School: Promoting Fundamental British Values

In November 2014, the Department for Education (DfE) produced non-statutory guidance on how schools should promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs as part of spiritual, moral, social, and cultural (SMSC) development. These core British values were first articulated in the Government’s ‘Prevent’ strategy of 2011.

At South Farnham Educational Trust we take very seriously our responsibility to prepare children positively for life in modern Britain. We ensure that the fundamental British values are introduced, discussed and realised through the ethos, values and work of the school. All curriculum areas provide a vehicle for furthering understanding of these concepts and, in particular, our RE, SMSC, PSHE and Citizenship lessons provide excellent opportunities to deepen and develop understanding. Curriculum and Year Leaders work with their teams to map fundamental British values across the school. Children embrace these concepts with enthusiasm and demonstrate a good understanding of their application to their own lives.

The school makes considerable efforts to ensure children have exposure to a wide experience beyond their local community during which these concepts are shown, for example, sporting events, a wide range of visits and use of residential outdoor education centres.

The ethos, values and work of Great Bookham School enables children to:

• develop their self-awareness, self-esteem and self-confidence
• distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England
• accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to 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
• acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England
• acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures
• develop respect for other people
• develop respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including the basis on which the law is made and applied in England.