British Values Statement
The DfE have reinforced the need for all schools 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.”
As a school we nurture our children on their journey through life so they can grow into citizens who are caring, democratic, responsible and tolerant, with the effective tools needed to enable them to make a positive difference to British society and to the world. We celebrate our children’s backgrounds and encourage them to be creative, open-minded and independent individuals, secure in their own identity and respectful of those of others in our school, our local community and the wider world.
We take our responsibility to prepare children for life in modern Britain very seriously ensure that the fundamental British Values are introduced, discussed and lived out through the ethos and work of our school. All curriculum areas ensure understanding of these concepts is built on year on year. In particular, our Religious World Views (RWV), SMSC, PSHE and debating lessons provide excellent opportunities to deepen, develop, understand and actively promote application to their own lives. Assemblies too embed and extend understanding and empathy, consistently tackling stereotypes and promoting thinking. Actively promoting also means challenging pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views. At Talbot our values permeate all areas of school life and are reflected in our motto of ‘Courage, Truth and Loyalty.’ Our children understand this and remain committed to it.
The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated by successive Governments. Click here to see how these values are reinforced regularly at Talbot Primary School.
Pupil Ambassadors and working parties
We have an established programme and commitment to the power of pupil voice at Talbot. We regularly seek the views of the children to support the continued development of our pastoral and academic curriculum through questionnaires and focus groups.
Our Sports and Digital Ambassadors are keen advocates in school. Not only do they support leaders to develop policy, but more importantly, they help children to feel safe and take part. Our latest working party has ensured that our revised Behaviour Policy is understood by all children through the development of a child friendly policy and additional assemblies across school. Our well-being wardens are active in providing advice and support for their peers and are part of our exciting project to rejuvinate our outside classroom in 2025-26.
Youth Summits
School Council representatives visited the council chambers and contributed to decision making discussions. As part of the summit, our children had the opportunity to ask questions to the Lord Mayor, Lady Mayoress and their local councillors. Pupils learnt about how local decisions are made, and also took part in the decision making for funding grants for local projects in North Leeds. A number of applications were approved, covering a variety of activities such as the Mini Breeze events run by the Breeze Team; dance and drama activities provided by Art Camp UK and multi-activity sessions (sport, education, culture) that will be delivered by Active Leeds. The children have also fed into local initiatives such as supporting improvements in pedestrian access and traffic calming as part of the local Roundhay, Moortown and Alwoodley consultation in February 2025.
British Values in the Curriculum
British values are covered in assemblies, PSHE lessons, through the School Council and in the wider curriculum. This is because it informs part of our whole school approach. You can find out more by looking at the whole school events page, PSHE long term plan and year group pages.
