Wellington Primary pupils get to grips with British values

Pupils at primary schools in Ludgershall and Tidworth have been learning how by adopting British values they can make a positive contribution to society.

The Department of Education requires all British schools to ‘actively 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.

Wellington Eagles and Wellington Lions primary schools Executive Headteacher Claire Addis says that understanding how key values such as respect and tolerance are fundamental to a civilised and safe society is an important element of children’s education.

“Children are never too young to learn that it is important to understand right from wrong and to be tolerant of other people’s ideas or beliefs,” says Mrs Addis.

“These are values that will shape them for the rest of their lives, and also shape the sort of society we all live in in the future. Learning how to adopt values such as following school rules and treating other people as they would like to be treated helps the children build structure into their own lives, to be organised and to develop empathy for others.

“While we weave these values into every part of the school day, it’s very useful for the pupils to spend time specifically examining the different values, debating among themselves and with teachers about why they matter, and considering how they can promote them.”

The schools used an organisation called Compass for Life to deliver some of the learning. Compass for Life worked with staff, parents and pupils on how British values translates to the schools’ values of kindness, integrity, curiosity, courage, grit and acceptance. 

“Our pupils and their parents really enjoyed the workshops, and so did my colleagues,” said Mrs Addis.

“The emphasis was on enabling our children to become the best versions of themselves, which of course is exactly what parents and teachers strive for.”