British Values

At Greenhill, we take our statutory duty to actively promote the fundamental British values—democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs—with great seriousness. This commitment is woven throughout our well-developed PSHE curriculum and is also deeply embedded in subjects such as History and Religious Education. Through our school ethos and curriculum, we nurture the balanced development of respectful, tolerant, and understanding citizens, fully prepared for life in modern Britain.

Our approach reflects Department for Education guidance requiring schools to help pupils understand:

how citizens can influence decision‑making through democratic processes,
that the freedom to hold different faiths and beliefs—all protected by law—should be accepted and tolerated,
the importance of identifying and challenging discrimination, and
the distinction between civil/criminal law and religious law

🌍 PSHE & Citizenship (Core Area)

Debates and discussions (e.g. on rights, rules, fairness) teach democracy and individual liberty.
Zones of Regulation and ELSA support promote respect, tolerance, and self-awareness.
Class charters and learning agreements reflect the rule of law and shared responsibilities.

📚 English

Explore themes of justice, freedom, and fairness in stories (e.g. Charlotte's Web, Oliver Twist).
Use drama and role-play to understand characters' viewpoints, encouraging tolerance and empathy.
Structured debates develop democratic participation and respectful disagreement.

🧮 Maths

Emphasise fairness, taking turns, and following rules during group tasks.
Problem-solving in pairs reinforces respect for others’ methods and individual approaches.

🧪 Science

Respectful collaboration and turn-taking in experiments promote mutual respect.
Ethical discussions (e.g. animal testing, environmental responsibility) link to moral law and individual liberty.

📖 History

Study of governance through time (e.g. Ancient Greeks in Year 4 – early democracy).
Learning about monarchy, Parliament, and law development in British history (Tudors, Victorians).
Exploring civil rights in modern history helps pupils understand tolerance and equality.

🎨 Art & Design / D&T

Studying artists and creators from diverse backgrounds promotes respect for other cultures.
Group projects encourage cooperation, shared responsibility, and listening to others’ ideas.

🎵 Music

Learning songs from different cultures builds tolerance and cultural awareness.
Working in groups to compose or perform music supports teamwork, respect, and liberty of expression.

🌎 Geography

Studying different countries and communities promotes tolerance, respect, and global citizenship.
Environmental discussions (e.g. climate change, water use) can be linked to rights and responsibilities.

🖥️ Computing

E-safety lessons focus on responsible use of liberty and understanding digital laws.
Online respect and anti-bullying link directly to mutual respect and individual responsibility.

🏃 PE

Team sports teach fair play, respect for rules, and tolerance.
Children learn to win and lose gracefully — reinforcing mutual respect and resilience.

🏫 Whole-School Ethos and Practice

School Council elections and pupil voice opportunities exemplify democracy in action.
Celebration assemblies recognise diverse contributions, promoting respect and inclusion.
Themed weeks (e.g. Anti-Bullying Week, Refugee Week) reinforce British Values through whole-school learning.