Promoting British Values at East Sheen Primary School

At East Sheen Primary School, we place great emphasis on the importance of “Pupil Voice.” Our Pupil Leadership Team, made up of elected representatives from Year 2 to Year 6, meets fortnightly to gather feedback from class meetings, identify areas for improvement, and drive positive change from the children’s perspective. We actively participate in the Richmond Pupil Parliament and the annual Youth Elections, providing students with firsthand experience of a democratic voting process.

Our “Thinking Hats” framework offers an invaluable tool for encouraging children to express their opinions, listen to and respect the views of others, and engage in thoughtful discussions within a safe, structured environment. This method helps children explore important life questions, fostering an atmosphere of respect, tolerance, and self-worth throughout the school.

As an inclusive school, we celebrate the rich diversity of our community. Our children come from a variety of backgrounds, and we value the range of languages, cultures, and traditions that shape our school environment. Our Religious Education (RE) curriculum explores different faiths, and the annual “World Cultural Day,” organized by pupils and parents, offers a platform for children to share their customs, beliefs, and experiences. This event includes the opportunity to view a wide array of cultural artefacts and sample foods from different traditions. We also host an annual carol service and Christmas celebratory show, promoting inclusivity and shared traditions.

Our history curriculum is designed to help children contextualise their lives by exploring the development of Britain as a nation shaped by diverse peoples from around the world. Topics such as the influence of Roman and Viking settlers, along with the impact of the British Empire, allow children to understand how history has been shaped by the coming together of different cultures.

We are proud to welcome various guest speakers and workshop leaders to our school, including community police officers and magistrates, who engage with our students on the importance of respecting the law and upholding the rights of all individuals. This is reflected in our everyday practice, where students collaboratively create classroom rules and draw up class contracts, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard.

Our children have a strong sense of belonging within our school community, which is beautifully represented by our dining room mural, created around the theme “It’s Good to Be Me.” This mural serves as a visual reminder of our commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where every child feels valued.