British Values at St. Paul S
British values at St. Paul’s
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."
Our values support all children, staff, governors and community to develop effective relationships throughout the school, and provide the basis for our behaviour policy and PSHS curriculum. We use the values to ensure everyone in school benefits from high quality SMSC development.
St. Paul’s Values
Our School Values are:
- Kindness
- Honesty
- Love for All
- Forgiveness
- Being Thankful
- Fairness
- Patience
- Celebration
These are displayed around the school, promoted through our Team Point system, referred to in daily Collective Worship and embedded in our daily life at school.
Promoting Democracy at St. Paul’s
Democracy is evident throughout our school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through Pupil Questionnaires, the PASS survey, Collective Worship evaluations and feedback. Pupils are encouraged to discuss their thoughts and opinions on a daily basis and suggestions for school improvement are added to our suggestion boxes for pupils and for parents. Pupils have also made suggestions and voted for team treat, team charities, team songs and team events. We encourage a respect for democracy by modelling the voting process in everyday school life whenever appropriate, such as elections for prefects and School Council.Our theme based approach to planning also allows for children to discuss and decide what they would like to learn in each topic and the final theme of the Summer Term is voted for by each class.
Every year the School Council attends the ceremony at all Saints Church to induct the Council and judges. This then demonstrates how the systems we have in school replicate those in the real world. Democracy and voting are frequently discussed in Collective Worships where we consider places and times when women or people of different races had fewer rights.
Year 5 and Year 6 also visit The Houses of Parliament on a bi-annual basis to learn more about how democracy works at the highest level.
Promoting the Rule of Law at St. Paul’s
The importance of Laws/rules, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced, particularly during Collective Worship, PSHE and topic work. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws; that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and consequences when laws/rules are broken. We have regular visits from the local Police to further promote and educate in this area.
Our school’s Behaviour Policy enables pupils to distinguish right from wrong. In instances of wrong doing, we challenge children’s bad choices by allowing children time for reflection to accept their responsibility for their wrong doings and support them to make changes for the future by asking the following questions:
1, What happened?
2, What did you do wrong?
3, What should you have done?
4, How can you make it better now?
5, What will you do next time?
Our school consequences are displayed around the school and referred to so that pupils know there is a consequence to breaking school rules.
Promoting Individual Liberty at St. Paul’s
Children are encouraged to be independent and resilient at St. Paul’s. Children often choose their learning partners, they self-select resources in lesson and choose their own challenges in their work.Children are frequently given the freedom of expression in their work (e.g. Science representation of results). Staff actively challenge social stereotypes when planning resources, trips and visitors.
Promoting Mutual Respect at St. Paul’s
Our core Christian values promote respect towards others and love for all. Children are rewarded, through our Team Point system, for practicing these characteristics. The opinions of others are discussed and difference of opinion is open and frank in class debates around current issues. Through celebrating the achievements of others in class and in Collective Worship, children develop a respect for those with interests and skills in other fields.
Children are actively encouraged to develop empathy and forgiveness through focused PSHE sessions, Nurture groups and the SEAL scheme of work. Staff frequently address friendship or behaviour issues specific to their class through well-structured Circle Time activities
Tolerance of and respect for those of all faiths, no faith, different culture and lifestyles
Whilst we are a Church of England school, we draw comparisons with other faiths and cultures regularly, particularly through Collective Worship. This is also promoted through World Culture Week, learning about other cultures in theme work, reading books from other cultures and countries, visits from people of other faiths and cultures, and visits to other places of worship in RE.