We believe that it is important for pupils, parents, governors and staff to have their voices heard for example when creating our new school Christian vision and values, pupil voice and parent surveys.  Members of our School Council are democratically elected each year. This reflects our British electoral system;  the prospective candidates make speeches; all pupils reflect on what personal characteristics are important for their class representatives to have.  Following this, they vote and the individuals with the majority are elected. The School Council raise money, organise events, and discuss with all members of the school community (pupil voice) when deciding on what to purchase. In the past, the School Council have purchased new playground equipment, end of year treats and a school pet.

Other examples of how we promote the values of democracy, including ‘pupil voice’ are:

• Children agree the school values.
• Children take part in a questionnaire so that they can put forward their views of the school
• Children are given the opportunity to vote on specific issues e.g the choice of films to watch, how their class will spend their Golden Time, to choose appropriate rewards for their class.
• Children take part in enterprise projects which support democracy skills.
• Children’s opinions are sought as part of our creative curriculum.

The importance of laws, whether in class, in school, or in our country are referred to and reinforced through Collective Worship, PHSE and when reflecting on behaviour choices.  Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind decisions, and the consequences if they are broken. 

At the beginning of the school year, each class discuss the importance of the school rules, a set of principles that are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every member of our school is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment.

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 are broken.

These values are reinforced in different ways:

• Each class discusses the school rules, to ensure they are clearly understood by all in order that they have a safe environment in which all pupils have a right to learn
• The whole school behaviour policy is clearly structured, publicised and followed by all. 
• Pupils have regular opportunities to reflect, for example, on their choices during Collective Worship.
• Collective Worship covers national and international events and explicitly link these to British values.
• In RE lessons, pupils have the opportunities to explore the rules of particular faiths
• During other subjects, their respect and appreciation for different rules are reinforced such as the importance of Global Goals, rules in sports lessons, taking part in competitions.
• Teaching children an understanding of human rights, in particular the UNICEF rights of the child.
• By implementing our school rules which have clear and agreed statements, and ensuring that the children know their own rights and respect the rights of others.
• Teaching children to learn about the process of law-making and the part that citizens can play in that process, for example taking part in School Council elections.
• Implementing our procedures and protocols for dealing with any behavioural or bullying issues and the very rare incidents of racial, homophobic and other forms of discrimination, which demonstrates to pupils that we take these issues very seriously, mirroring the attitudes of British society.

Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are taught how to exercise these safely, such as in our PSHE lessons and Collective Worship. Collective worship is used to both explore and support the school’s values. By teaching the children how to manage and understand emotions they will be motivated and equipped to promote individual liberty through:

• Choices about learning activities and challenges
• Building resilience
• Focusing on different aspects of the environment in Eco- Council and Science Ambassadors.
• Opportunities to reflect on their behaviour and choices
• Empowering children to make safe choices through E-Safety, PSHE, Road Safety and Fire Safety lessons
• Teaching an understanding of the concept of freedom and choice.
• Teaching our RE curriculum, which inculcates values of understanding, tolerance and respect for others, including those of other faiths.
• Teaching children an understanding of human rights, in particular the UNICEF rights of the child and Global Goals, through assemblies and class lessons.
• Choices about their participation in extra-curricular clubs and opportunities.
• Providing extra-curricular provision, which offers equal opportunities for all children, boys and girls, and children with Special Educational Needs in sport and other many areas of interest such as art and music.
• Discussions and debates in RE, English and other subjects, which allow children to develop respect for the opinions, values and beliefs of others.
• Dealing with and resolving conflicts evenly and fairly
• Encouraging our pupils to recognise and stand up for their rights and the rights of others
• Understand the value the differences and commonalities between people, respecting the rights of others to have beliefs and values different to their own.
• To respect and value our world, and the things, both material and alive that exist within it.

Children in Year 6 are given key roles and responsibilities such as Librarians, Playground Buddies and helping in the dining hall.

Mutual respect is at the heart of education.  Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community are taught the Golden Rule and encouraged to treat each other with respect in the following ways:

• Collective Worship
• RE lessons – learning about and respecting other cultures and beliefs.
• Through the PSHE and RE curriculum pupils are encouraged to discuss and respect differences and similarities between people
• Learning about the world through our cross curricular topics and in foundation subjects.
• Learning how to disagree in a respectful way.

We are proud to promote and celebrate our different backgrounds and beliefs. Tolerance, politeness and mutual respect are at the heart of our aims, ethos and R.E curriculum.

We enhances pupils understanding of different faiths and beliefs by:

• RE lessons – learning and respecting other cultures and beliefs
• Providing a diverse range of resources representing a range of cultures and faiths
• Learning about the world through our cross curricular topics
• PSHE teaching
• RE themes and visitors to school such as Nicky and Nora puppets, Open the Book (links with Litton Church).
• Collective Worship