British Values
Teaching and promoting British values at Stutton Church of England Primary School
At Stutton CoE Primary School, these values are carefully promoted through our collective worship, our curriculum and are woven into the ethos of our school.
Each week week we hold a special assembly using Picture News. Children are given the opportunity to discuss a topical news item. This is linked to Britsh values and to protected characteristics.
Democracy
Children, parents and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard at Stutton Primary School.
Throughout their time at Stutton there will be many occasions where children will have the opportunity to vote and for their voices to be heard.
All staff will model this process through asking questions and inviting children's answers and opinions, whether it be in lessons, during assemblies, at lunchtime or on the playground. Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard.
We encourage pupils to take ownership of not only their school but also of their own learning and progress.
Our School Council has members elected from each class and have regular meetings to represent the views of their classmates.
The rule of law
We consistently reinforce our high expectations of children. Children are taught the value and reasons behind our expectations that they are there to protect us, that everyone has a responsibility and that there are consequences when rules are broken. They recognise that whilst we have rules at school, other rules and laws exist in the country for the same reasons.
At the start of the school year, each class discusses the school rules and class routines. Our school rules are:
Be Kind
Be Safe
Be Responsible.
Children are helped to learn to manage their behaviour and take responsibility for their actions. We help children to understand the connection between actions and consequences; rights and responsibilities.
Individual Liberty
Within school, children are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school, we educate and provide boundaries for our children to make choices safely, through our provision of a safe environment and engaging teaching. Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms, whilst recognising that they have various responsibilities to fulfil.
We support each child to become as independent as possible so that they are encouraged to become good and valued citizens. We endeavour to demonstrate that everyone has rights; this includes the right to say ‘No’ when appropriate.
Mutual respect
Respect is one of our Christian values, all members of our school community treat each other with respect. Children learn that their behaviour has an effect on their own rights and those of others. Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around core values such as ‘Respect’, and children model this by caring, sharing and listening to others. Our staff help children to understand how to respect by talking about how actions and words can affect others.
Specific examples of how we at Stutton CoE Primary School enhance pupils’ understanding and respect for different cultures, faiths and beliefs are:
Through Religious Education, collective worship, PSHE and other lessons where we develop awareness and appreciation of other cultures.
In English through fiction and in art and music by considering cultures from other parts of the world.
Celebrating cultural differences through assemblies, themed weeks, noticeboards and displays, and the raising of flags on days of national celebration.
Whilst instances contrary to our values are relatively rare, no school can guarantee that there will never be an incident contrary to our values. Each is treated seriously in line with our policies and expectations.
Tolerance
Through our school values we aim to enhance children’s tolerance, empathy and understanding of all 'differences' not just different faiths and beliefs, all children are taught to respect everyone regardless of their faith, beliefs participating in a range of celebrations throughout the year.
In the curriculum through Religious Education, PSHE, English, Art, geography and history, as well as our collective worship, children consider cultures from other parts of the world, different faiths and beliefs. We invite visitors from our community to share their knowledge and to enhance learning both within classes and for the whole school or we visit local places of worship.