British Value : Democracy

Link to our Christian value:

Peace - encourage peace making to help resolve conflict and creating space for stillness. Helping children to resolve differences in a constructive way and encourage reflection.

The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced at St Andrew’s CE Primary School, with democratic processes being used for important decisions within the school community.

Children have the opportunity to have their voices heard via the annual pupil questionnaire and the School Council which meets regularly and discusses improvements within the school as well as organising events for other pupils.

School Council representatives are elected by their peers and have a responsibility to report back to the rest of their class. The election of members of our school council is based solely on pupil votes.

A recent example of teaching about democracy was during the last election when assemblies informed children about the election process.

Children also learn about the principles of democracy and justice during topic lessons when they learn about various countries and their history.

Pupils are encouraged to engage in debates and express their views across the curriculum. For example the children discuss the characters they meet through literature and give their opinions concerning their actions. They also enthusiastically offer their thoughts on environmental issues, whether real or engineered as part of their topic.

British Value : The Rule of Law

Link to our Christian Value:

Trust - exploring ways in which we can be trusted at school and at home to do the right thing. Linking to how God trusts us to carry out his purpose.

An understanding of the rule of law is developed through class discussions around the rights and responsibilities of the pupils. This informs relationships and behaviour in school and shapes school rules. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us and the consequences of breaking the law. Visits from various authorities such as the Police and the Fire Service help us to reinforce this message.

The children are also trained as ‘Play Leaders’ and participate in the resolution of minor playground disputes.

Helping pupils distinguish between right and wrong is an integral part of the school day, however, specific curriculum units are also used to develop understanding.

British Value : Individual Liberty

Link to our Christian Value : Thankfulness - to encourage appreciation a thankful attitude to all members of the school and school community. To be thankful for the rights we have and the gifts that God has given us.

At St Andrew’s CE Primary, pupils are actively encouraged to make independent choices, in the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. A comprehensive Positive Behaviour Policy is also in place which focuses on rights and responsibilities and how their own actions affect others.

Children take responsibilities such as Head Boys and Girls, School Council, Worship leaders, Playground leaders etc.

Children participate in whole school Remembrance Day assemblies.

We use a range of homework where children are given a choice in what and how they present their findings - around a theme.

We encourage participation in charitable events e.g. Children in Need, Sport Relief, NSPCC, Comic Relief etc where children take responsibility to help others through fund raising activities.

There is a strong anti-bullying culture in school. We incorporate anti-bullying strategies into our curriculum across the year.

Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-Safety policy where children are taught to keep their personal information confidential.

Our children are encouraged to give their opinions and share these ideas with due regard for the feelings of others. As part of our curriculum we place a huge emphasis on the social and emotional learning of our children and feel we send them to their secondary school as well rounded individuals. 

British Value : Mutual Respect

Link to our Christian Value : Respect - to provide opportunities for children to work collaboratively, develop friendships and show acts of kindness. Link to stories in the Bible where respect is shown.

Mutual respect is encouraged and nurtured throughout St Andrew’s CE Primary and is one of our ‘Good to be Green’ Rules - both through study in the classroom and through the application of school expectations.

Mutual respect is at the heart of our Christian values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. Children develop an understanding of tolerance and mutual respect. All members of the school community treat each other with respect.

A key element of the RE syllabus taught throughout KS1 and 2 is the encouraging of mutual respect and the discussion and acknowledgement of a variety of beliefs and opinions. Pupils are provided with a safe environment in which to explore and express their own views.

British Value : Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Link to our Christian Values :

Hope – children are citizens of the world and this citizenship brings both challenges and responsibilities. Appreciating that there are injustices in the world and understanding how with hope, these injustices can be rectified.

Love – to encourage attitudes and actions that reflect kindness and compassion and link to the love of God for everyone.

As a Church of England school (VA), our Collective Worship is Christian and our teaching is based on Christian values. Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs is achieved through enhancing pupils’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity.

The teaching of RE gives all pupils the opportunity to explore and experience a range of other faiths and traditions. During their time at St Andrew’s CE Primary, pupils explore issues such as the differences and similarities between religious identities and a range of moral and ethical issues.

Through study both of and from religion, pupils are able to develop tolerance and respect for a range of faiths and traditions as well as reflect on their own views and beliefs. The provision of meaningful Collective Worship also allows students the opportunity to reflect on a range of traditions and their meanings to different people as well as themselves.

Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge with our pupils to enhance learning and the children also visit places of worship in the local community and beyond.