At St Minver School, we are committed to promoting the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
These values were first set out by the government in the 2011 Prevent Strategy and were reinforced by the Prime Minister in 2014. The Department for Education states that all schools have a duty “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation to promote these values.”
We promote British values through our curriculum, our school ethos, and the wider life of our school community. We place great emphasis on the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development (SMSC) of our children, and we ensure that these values are embedded in everyday school life through lessons, assemblies, pupil voice initiatives, and enrichment opportunities.
The British Values
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Democracy
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The Rule of Law
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Individual Liberty
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Mutual Respect
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Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs
Democracy
Democracy is a cornerstone of life at St Minver School. We provide a wide range of opportunities for children to express their opinions and contribute to decision-making processes.
Pupils are encouraged to speak and be heard in class discussions, pupil conferencing, and through our elected School Council, House Captains, and other pupil leadership roles. These roles are filled through democratic elections where children vote for their peers, mirroring the British electoral system. From Early Years onwards, pupils participate in making choices about everyday classroom decisions, such as voting on stories, games, or group activities.
We value every child’s voice and promote an environment where respectful listening and debate are the norm.
The Rule of Law
Understanding the importance of rules and laws is essential to maintaining a safe, fair, and supportive environment. At St Minver, we teach children the role and purpose of laws—whether within the classroom, the school, or wider society.
Our school rules and behaviour policy are clearly communicated, fairly applied, and consistently reinforced. Pupils learn about the value of rules through:
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Class charters and playground expectations
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PSHE, literacy, history and RE curriculum
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Carefully selected moral stories, including those from Christian teachings
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Safety visits from local police and community services such as the RNLI
From Nursery through to Year 6, children are taught the importance of acting responsibly and understanding the consequences of their actions.
Individual Liberty
Pupils at St Minver School are encouraged to make their own choices and to develop as confident, independent thinkers. Within our safe and nurturing environment, children are supported to take risks and explore their interests while understanding their personal rights and freedoms.
This is promoted through:
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Freedom of choice in learning challenges and activities
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Engagement in extra-curricular clubs and roles
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Clear education on e-safety and responsible digital behaviour
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PSHE and RE lessons that promote self-awareness and personal responsibility
We empower children to use their voices, respect their own boundaries, and value the freedoms they enjoy.
Mutual Respect
Mutual respect is a key principle that underpins all relationships at St Minver School. We expect all members of our community—children and adults—to treat each other with kindness, empathy, and consideration.
Our curriculum actively teaches children about:
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Positive relationships
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The impact of their behaviour on others
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Celebrating individuality and shared values
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Working collaboratively as part of a team
Staff model respectful behaviour, and pupils are taught to value and support one another, recognising that we all grow stronger together.
Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs
While our local area may not be highly diverse, we make it a priority to ensure that our pupils gain a broad understanding and appreciation of different cultures, faiths and beliefs.
This is embedded through:
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RE and PSHE lessons exploring major world religions
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Assemblies and special theme days
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Visits from guests of different backgrounds and faiths
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Celebrating a range of religious and cultural festivals
We believe that children should develop curiosity, understanding, and respect for others, helping them become open-minded members of a diverse and inclusive society.
At St Minver School, we are proud of the respectful, caring and values-led community we foster. We will actively challenge views or behaviours that go against fundamental British values, including extremism or intolerance, ensuring that every child has the tools and understanding to thrive as a citizen in modern Britain.
Cultural capital refers to the essential knowledge, skills, experiences and values that children need to succeed in life. At St Minver School, we actively build our pupils’ cultural capital by broadening their horizons, deepening their understanding of the world, and equipping them with the confidence to engage with it.
We aim to ensure every child leaves us with the ability to:
- Participate fully in society
- Understand and appreciate diversity
- Access and benefit from future opportunities
- Feel confident in new and unfamiliar situations
