The DFE states that there is a need “to create and enforce a clear and vigorous expectation for 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 Upton St Leonards we are dedicated to promoting values which ensure our pupils develop a strong sense of social and moral responsibility which will prepare them for life in modern Britain. Here are some of the ways we promote these values.
The School values pupil voice and the role pupils have in bringing about improvements. Children are asked about their learning, their concerns and ideas about how to make things better. At the start of the year, children vote for their nominated House Captains, Eco Reps and Council representatives through an election process. The School Council meets regularly to discuss their contribution to school life and the wider community. The children vote in classrooms on many decisions from which book to read to which fundraising idea to adopt to raise money for one of our chosen charities. The School council choose a local charity, a national charity and an international charity which they support over the year. This develop the children’s understanding of empathy and understanding.
Children in Year 4 take part in the online pupil survey every other year. This information is shared with the school community and enables us to focus our lessons during PSHE.
Pupil voice surveys and questionnaires are built into our Moderation cycle Governors monitor these and we evaluate them in a report outlining next steps.
Our Spiritual Garden was designed with the ideas of the children fully integrated into the finished garden.
The school has a comprehensive Positive Behaviour policy which sets out clear expectations and outlines the expected behaviour of pupils during the day. At the start of the year each class discusses and sets its own Charter (based on the UNICEF Rights Respecting School Programme), which is 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. During PSHCE lesson and Collective Worship children learn about the importance of having rules and how these relate to laws. We use a range of PSHCE resources to promote moral, spiritual, social and cultural awareness among our pupils. Our children have a well-developed sense of justice and are able to discuss why there needs to be consequences for those who break the rules or laws. They understand that if they do not uphold our bronze expectations there are sanctions where they will be asked to reflect on their behaviour and the consequences for those around them. Our Values for Life scheme, which we follow as a Church School, guides and supports children in developing a clear understanding of how our actions can impact upon others. Visits from other authorities, such as the Police and the Fire Service, help to reinforce the message.
Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Through the provision of a safe, supportive and nurturing environment, we provide boundaries for our children to make choices safely. Here are some ways in which we do this:
Our Behaviour Policy is built on the principle that children are responsible for their own actions and choices and that these have consequences. The school provides a reflection time where pupils who have amber or red misbehaviours can think about the impact of their choices. During PSHCE, E-Safety lessons and Collective Worship, pupils are taught how to keep themselves safe whilst they exercise their rights and personal freedoms. Safeguarding is embedded in every aspect of life at school.
Adults actively model respect with one another and with the children. This is shown through how we speak to and treat one another. Through our curriculum, we promote an awareness of different faiths and we encourage our pupils to recognise and understand these faiths. Our pupils naturally show tolerance for others and have a curiosity to find out and understand cultures and faiths that are different from their own.
Planned opportunities to teach the values of our society are interwoven into the curriculum. Here are some examples:
Building foundations for a love of life, a love of learning and a love of one another