British Values and EDI

  

 

Our whole school approach to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion is not a one-time initiative but a continuous commitment to creating an environment where every individual can thrive. By embedding EDI into every aspect of school life—curriculum, leadership, teaching, community engagement, and school culture—we can foster an inclusive environment that reflects the values of justice, respect, and belonging for all.

Definitions of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and why EDI matters at Danetree

Equality is about ensuring that everyone has the same opportunities, and no-one is treated differently or discriminated against because of their personal characteristics. These are known as ‘protected characteristics’ under the Equality Act 2010. The protected characteristics applicable to our setting are:

• age
• disability
• gender
• race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins)
• religion or belief (including lack of belief)
• sexual orientation

You may also have come across the term 'Equity', which is about ensuring that every individual gets what they need to be successful.

Diversity is about recognising, valuing and taking account of people's different backgrounds, knowledge, skills, and experiences and celebrating these differences.

Inclusion is where all children are involved and engaged, and where there are differences, these differences between people and groups are seen as a benefit. Children should feel comfortable to share their perspectives and differences, knowing that their opinions and ideas are valued.

Our Vision, Golden Rules and Learning Powers support all children, staff, governors and community to develop effective relationships throughout the school. 

At Danetree Primary School we actively teach British Values and these are embedded through our weekly assemblies and interwoven in our wider enrichment curriculum. 

We explore the 5 British Values:

Democracy

Rule of law

Individual liberty

Mutual respect

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs 

Promoting Democracy at Danetree

Democracy is evident throughout our school:

-  Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our numerous Pupil Leadership Opportunities. 

- Our school’s Behaviour Policy enables pupils to distinguish right from wrong. In instances of wrong doing, we challenge children’s bad choices by allowing children time for reflection to accept their responsibility for their wrong doings and support them to make changes for the future.

- We encourage a respect for democracy by modelling the voting process whenever appropriate, such as elections for house captains and class representative for pupil parliament.
 

Promoting the Rule of Law at Danetree

- The importance of Laws/rules, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced, particularly during regular school and class assemblies, SMSC and wider curriculum work.

- During Global Enrichment lessons children are taught the value and reasons behind laws; that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and consequences when laws/rules are broken.
 

Promoting Individual Liberty at Danetree

-  Within school, children are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.

- Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and SMSC lessons. Whether it be through choice of challenge, how they record work, selection of lunches or participation in our extensive extra-curricular clubs- pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
 

Promoting Mutual Respect at Danetree

- Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around Core Golden Rule of "Be Kind" and pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown.
 

Tolerance of and respect for those of all faiths, no faith, different culture and lifestyles

- This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity.

- Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based issues have been followed and supported by learning in RE and SMSC.

-Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning.