Teaching British Values

It is ours, and every school’s responsibility “to 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.”


At Deansfield we promote these values in the following ways:


At the beginning of each year children affirm the school’s expectations and the rights and responsibilities associated with these. Every child and staff member abides by these. The children and staff actively engage with each other to create harmonious learning environments where everyone is responsible for the rules.

Deansfield has a School Council to which members are voted in each year by their peers. Children write a statement to support their proposal to be their class representative and the children decide who will best represent them. Children understand that a place on the School Council comes with the responsibility of representing their peers’ needs and interests.

We encourage children to be leaders throughout the school and we have a number of activities and responsibilities that are undertaken by the children. For example, pupils from Key Stage 2 are monitors and play leaders at lunch and play times. They have specific timeslots during which they are on duty and are responsible for encouraging all children to take part at playtime, for example by inviting them into games.

Democracy is taught during assemblies and during class-based RHE sessions. Children regularly get opportunities to express their views in school through Pupil Voice interviews and questionnaires. For example, the Anti- Bullying Quality Mark steering group consulted with pupils and developed a clear commitment to developing the school’s values.

The Rule of Law

Behaviour and safety at Deansfield are consistently outstanding and are seen as an absolute priority by the entire school community. Children know what is expected of them, why rules are so important, and what the consequences are if they do not follow them. Children at Deansfield are well aware of what an exciting curriculum they have and their sustained excellent behaviour enables them to develop into confident and independent learners.

At Deansfield we ensure that children are acutely aware of the responsibilities that come with having rights. Children develop a thorough understanding of personal responsibility and develop independence in managing relationships and behaviour. Through our whole school approach to restorative justice, we enable children to develop the language and strategies to solve conflict and right wrongs.

At Deansfield we offer a range of exciting opportunities for children to be leaders throughout the school, and they understand that the rules they have created for their classes permeate through all activities and events. Children also understand that their behaviour and regard for the rules extends beyond the school itself, such as acting as school ambassadors while on school trips. This understanding means that teachers can organise fascinating school trips secure in the knowledge that children will get the same from them as they do from learning opportunities within school.

Individual Liberty

Deansfield is a safe place for children and cultivates an atmosphere in which children can make choices about their school life in a supportive environment.

We educate our pupils to know that they have boundaries within which they may make choices safely, through the provision of a nurturing mindset and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand, and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and RHE lessons. Whether it is through choice of challenge, of how they record, or of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices. From the very start of their school life children are encouraged to challenge their personal best by giving them ownership of their own learning. Children regularly have next steps shared with them, whether verbally or with written feedback in books so they know exactly what they can do to progress.

Mutual Respect

The ethos of our school nurtures an understanding of mutual respect and it underpins the engaging and exciting teaching and learning that happens here.  School life at Deansfield abides by our values that nurture kindness, resilience, honesty and respect. The children and all staff connected to our school understand our values and work in a manner that encourages everyone to achieve to their highest ability.  Assemblies regularly cover ‘Respect’, and pupils have been part of discussions related to what this means and how we show it. When a child does well, their achievement is displayed for everyone to learn from their positive attitude and hard work. Learning and effort are highly respected and the whole school is focused on developing an intrinsic sense of worth and achievement.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

This is achieved through enhancing pupils’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. We are lucky to be situated in one of the most diverse boroughs in London and because of that we are rich in both cultures and languages, with twenty four home languages represented. We regularly hold whole-school assemblies to celebrate and learn about the numerous religious festivals that happen throughout the school year. We harness cultural links in our classes and often reach out into the community to support our teaching. Children experience influences from all over the world in their classrooms. Our core values ensure children develop respect for the person; developing strong and lasting relationships that enable the community to be strong and cohesive.