The Department for Education state that there is a 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 Cestria Primary School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy
Democracy is embedded at the school. 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. Pupils also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas through our School Council and regular questionnaires. The elections of the School Council members are based solely on pupil votes, reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced. Our school has rules and a code of conduct, which are embedded in our work every day. Each class also discusses and sets its own rules that are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment. Our pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws or rules are broken.
To help promote positive behaviour, we employ a “restorative approach.” To ensure continuity across the school, key staff have received appropriate training in this methodology.
Individual Liberty
Within school, pupils 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 pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an empowering education. Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely; examples of this can be clearly seen in our e-safety and P.S.H.C.E. lessons. Whether it is through choice of challenge; of how Promoting British Values they record; of participation in our numerous extra- curricular activities; our pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual Respect
Respect is one of the core values of our school. The pupils know and understand that it is expected and imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have. The core value of Respect at Cestria Primary School underpins our work every day both in and out of the classroom.
Our school is committed to developing respect for other cultures. We believe that this respect is fostered through our international curriculum. As well as developing intercultural understanding through the vehicle of Primary Languages, our international curriculum incorporates a range of cross-curricular opportunities to learn about, and thereby develop greater tolerance of and respect for other cultures. The strength of our international curriculum was recognised when we were awarded the full ISA for the third time.
According to the assessor (2014), we display “… an understanding and appreciation of the importance of international learning as an integral part of the curriculum and school ethos.” and we “….demonstrate a sound grasp of the principles and mechanisms for embedding international learning into your curriculum.” Our international activities, “…..clearly point to …passion for and commitment to introducing and maintaining excellent practice right across the curriculum.”
Tolerance of Those With Different Faiths And Beliefs
Our core value of Respect ensures tolerance of those who have different faiths and beliefs. Cestria enhances pupils’ understanding of different faiths and beliefs through religious education studies, P.S.H.E. work, visits to other places to deepen understanding of different celebrations, welcoming visitors from other schools that are not predominately white British and enjoying a depth of study during themed weeks. During Multi Cultural Week the whole school will focus on a different country. Beliefs, traditions and customs will be studied in depth, with visitors being invited in to our school to enrich and extend understanding. Through this our pupils gain an enhanced understanding.