The DfE have recently reinforced the need “to create and enforce 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.”
At Christ Church C of E Junior School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy:
Democracy is a principle that we uphold in our school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through class debates, discussions, our School Council and pupil questionnaires. Each class has a regular opportunity to share ideas and to contribute to decisions and choices in school, with the class representative taking forward their views. Most recently, we have asked the children for their opinions on which charities the school should support over the coming year. Children will often be asked for their views through assemblies and also through discussions with visiting political figures; such as members of the local council or the local MP.
The Rule of Law:
The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout the school day, when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Every year each class sets their rules and codes of conduct in the first week of term as part of a PHSE lesson. Through being involved in setting them, children understand why the rules matter and also recognise the significance of not adhering to these agreed rules. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind law; that they govern and protect us. They learn the responsibilities that are involved and the consequences when laws are broken.
Curriculum:
Where possible we try to link social aspects of living in our country with topic or English themes. We run a programme of PSHE topics through assemblies and separate sessions and we communicate this to parents and carers through our weekly newsletter and our website. Our supportive school atmosphere means children are able to develop and express their own views and opinions whilst learning to respect the ideas and beliefs of their peers. Children are taught to be aware of and responsible for their own emotional responses and they learn how to express them healthily.
Relationships:
A key strength at Christ Church C of E Junior School is the relationship between all our staff and the pupils. We encourage mutual respect and this is evident every day in how we speak to each other and the relationships that we build with the children. Visitors to our school and members of the public, who see us out and about on the many trips we go on, often comment positively. Actively promoting British Values also means challenging pupils, staff or parents who may have expressed opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.
Individual Liberty:
Within school, pupils 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 are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons and any external visitors who support children in making safe decisions. We provide a wide range of extra-curricular clubs and our school curriculum allows for opportunities for pupils to be given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual Respect:
Our school ethos and relationship policy revolves around Christian Values such as Friendship, Love, Peace and Forgiveness as taught through the story of the Good Samaritan. Pupils have been part of the discussions and Collective Worships related to what they mean and how we can demonstrate them in our lives. Posters around the school encourage positive behaviour and promote respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and Christ Church rules, as well as through our relationship policy.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:
This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience this diversity. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. Many of our teaching staff have worked in schools across the country and are therefore able to bring a wealth of experience to Christ Church C of E Junior school in terms of understanding and promoting a diverse community.
