At St Matthew's Primary School, we are committed to actively promoting British values to help our pupils become responsible, respectful, and engaged members of society. We embed these values— Democracy, Rule of Law, Individual Liberty, Mutual Respect, and Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs—through our curriculum, daily routines, and school ethos.

Children learn about democracy by participating in class votes, school councils, and pupil leadership groups such as the RE Explorers, giving them real opportunities to contribute to decision-making. We teach the rule of law by setting clear expectations, celebrating positive behaviour, and helping pupils understand the importance of laws in keeping everyone safe through our well-being curriculum. Through a safe and supportive environment, we encourage individual liberty, allowing children to make choices in their learning and express their ideas confidently, and this is underpinned by our powerful oracy strategy. We foster mutual respect by promoting kindness, teamwork, and inclusion in everything we do, and particularly through our School Values Finally, we develop tolerance by learning about different cultures, religions, and beliefs through RE, themed weeks, and worship, helping pupils appreciate diversity within our community and beyond.

Together, these values underpin our approach to education and help prepare our pupils for life in modern Britain.

This is further developed through:

- Learning about key events in British government, such as the General Election

- Opportunities to practice democracy through electing school councillors and Head Pupils

- Further pupil leadership opportunities such as RE Explorers, Buddies and Hall Monitors

- Workshops on anti-radicalisation and extremism

- Trips to various places of worship, including St Paul’s Cathedral, local mosques and temples. 

Our last SIAMS inspection in 2020 highlighted that “children treat one another respectfully, regardless of difference”.  

As well as promoting British Values, we would actively challenge pupils, staff, or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British values including ‘extremist views’.