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Red Kite Learning Trust

Our School

British Values

Whitkirk - Pupils in classroom - 2024 (6)

We are committed to the active promotion of the four fundamental British values through the Personal Development Curriculum and subject curricula as part of Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education:

  • Democracy
  • The rule of law
  • Individual liberty
  • Mutual respect and tolerance.

To recall these, at Whitkirk we use the acronym ‘I Really Do Matter’


The DfE have recently reinforced the need to “create and a clear and rigorous expectation on 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.”

The Government set out its definition of British Values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.

At Whitkirk, these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

  • Picture News
  • Assemblies with a focus on Our School values and how these link with British values
  • Weekly PSHE sessions
  • Our School Values and Core Values followed throughout school
  • Personal Development embedded within the curriculum

British values


As part of our British Values and SMSC focus, we subscribed in January 2023 to participate in Picture News.

Teaching Resources for Assemblies 

Each week, through Picture News, the children look at a current news story and a thought-provoking question. Time is spent in class discussing and debating this question or world issue.  We ensure all children feel that their opinions and thoughts have been shared and listened to.

Picture news is designed to provide opportunities for children to learn from our world and develop respect for other’s beliefs, feelings and faith. We also spend time linking this with our School and British Values.

To support their exploration and discussion, we also make the Picture News Newsletter available for all children, to enable the children to discuss this at home if they wish.

 Picture News works closely with us keeping in touch with ideas and suggestions, they provide support in ensuring that we are resourced well in order to teach our pupils about current affairs and the world around them.


Picture News Picture


Please click the picture below to access the most recent Picture News that will be discussed in class this week

this week picture news


British Values Documents


Please click each image to view the full document


British Values (1)


picture news

Whitkirk Primary School is part of Red Kite Learning Trust, a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with company number 7523507, registered office address: Red Kite Office, Pannal Ash Road, Harrogate, HG2 9PH

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