British Values at Parkhill Infants' School
How we promote British Values at Parkhill Infants’ School
At Parkhill Infants’ School, our motto, “Together we make a difference,” reflects our commitment to helping children become kind, thoughtful and active members of their community.
We promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs through our curriculum, relationships and everyday school life. For our youngest learners, this means learning to listen, make choices, understand fairness and respect others.
These values complement our school values—Be Kind, Be Respectful, Be Resilient, Be Curious and Be Proud—and our work as a UNICEF Rights Respecting School. We help children understand their rights and recognise that everyone else has those same rights.
Democracy: Every Voice Matters
Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child: Every child has the right to express their views on matters affecting them and to have those views taken seriously.
At Parkhill Infants' School, we want every child to know that their voice matters. Children are encouraged to share ideas, ask questions and listen to different points of view. Through everyday choices, discussions and voting, they begin to understand how decisions can be made fairly.
Each class creates a charter based on children’s rights. Children help choose the rights to include and discuss how adults and children can respect these rights together. The charters support conversations about kindness, fairness and resolving disagreements.
Our UNICEF Councillors combine the roles of school council representatives and children’s rights ambassadors. Elected by their classmates, they bring children’s ideas and suggestions to meetings and help shape school life. They also promote children’s rights and support fundraising within the school, showing how working together can make a difference.
Adults listen carefully and respond with care, helping children build the confidence to speak up. Through these experiences, children learn that taking part, listening to others and working together can make a difference.
The Rule of Law: Understanding Fairness and Safety
Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child: Every child has the right to be protected from violence, abuse and neglect.
At Parkhill Infants' School, we help children understand that rules and laws keep people safe, protect their rights and help communities live together fairly. We explore these ideas through stories, discussions and everyday experiences in ways that are meaningful for young children.
Our school values and class charters help children understand what is expected and why. Children learn that everyone’s rights matter and that we all have a part to play in making our school a safe, caring place.
With support from adults, children learn to reflect on their choices, understand how their actions affect others and put things right when something goes wrong. We help them manage disagreements, find fair solutions and develop a growing sense of responsibility.
Clear, consistent expectations and caring relationships underpin this approach. Children also learn about keeping safe online and asking a trusted adult for help, building their confidence to recognise concerns and speak up.
Individual Liberty: Building Confidence and Independence
Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child: Every child has the right to express their views on matters affecting them and to have those views taken seriously.
At Parkhill Infants' School, we help children develop the confidence to be themselves, express their ideas and make choices within a safe, supportive environment. We celebrate their individual interests, strengths and personalities, helping every child feel valued.
Throughout the school day, children have opportunities to make decisions about their learning and play. Choosing resources, exploring interests and trying new activities helps them develop independence and recognise that their choices matter.
Adults offer guidance and clear boundaries, helping children make informed choices while respecting the rights and feelings of others. Children learn that they can share their opinions, say when something makes them uncomfortable and ask a trusted adult for help.
Through our curriculum, including online safety learning, we support children to understand their rights and keep themselves safe. Opportunities beyond the classroom also encourage them to discover new interests and build confidence.
Mutual Respect: Showing Kindness and Valuing Others
Article 29 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child: Education should help children develop respect for other people, their rights, cultures and the environment.
Respect is at the heart of life at Parkhill Infants' School. Our values, Be Kind and Be Respectful, help children understand that everyone deserves to be treated with care and consideration.
Through stories, assemblies, PSHE and everyday interactions, children learn to listen, take turns, recognise others’ feelings and value different ideas and experiences. Adults model respectful relationships and help children find the words to disagree politely and resolve difficulties kindly.
Our work as a Rights Respecting School helps children recognise that all children have the same rights. We encourage them to notice when someone needs support, include others in their play and celebrate each other’s efforts and achievements.
Respect extends beyond our school gates. Learning about Fairtrade and taking part in charitable activities help children explore fairness and understand how their actions can support people locally and around the world. Caring for our school animals, shared spaces and the environment also gives children practical opportunities to show consideration.
Through learning about people who have challenged unfairness, children begin to understand the importance of standing up for others. We help them see that even small acts of kindness can make a difference.
Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs: Celebrating Our Community
Article 14 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child: Every child has the right to freedom of thought, belief and religion, with guidance from their parents or carers.
At Parkhill Infants' School, we are proud of our diverse community. We want every child and family to feel welcome, included and valued, whatever their faith, beliefs, culture or background.
Through Religious Education, stories, assemblies and learning about festivals, children explore different beliefs and traditions, including those of people who do not follow a religion. We encourage thoughtful questions and help children discover both shared values and differences.
Children have opportunities to share their own experiences, languages and family traditions. This helps them develop pride in their identity and curiosity about the lives of others, while recognising that families may celebrate and believe different things.
We teach children that people do not have to share the same beliefs to be friends or treat one another with respect. Adults model inclusive language and challenge unkindness and stereotypes, helping children understand that nobody should be left out because of who they are or what they believe.
By building strong relationships with families, we nurture a sense of belonging and show children how people from different backgrounds can learn, play and work together.
Our Shared Commitment
Through our curriculum, assemblies and work as a Rights Respecting School, we help children put British values into practice and contribute to a fair, inclusive and caring community.
We encourage respectful discussion and recognise that people may hold different opinions. We challenge prejudice, discrimination and extremist views, responding to concerns with care and taking action to keep our school community safe.
Working together with families, we help children develop the understanding, confidence and kindness to make a positive difference.
Explore Children's Rights Together
