Trotts Hill Primary School and Nursery
The DfE has 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.” At Trotts Hill Primary School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy is richly embedded within the school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council, and our wide range of pupil groups, pupil questionnaires and pupil voice interviews. School rules are agreed by every member of a class. The elections of school councillors, as well as the winner of the integrity, unsung hero and kindness award are based solely on pupil votes. Pupils also are asked to vote for key school decisions, such as:
Regular votes – school councillors, events, whole school decisions e.g. CD cover, film night
Class votes – home learning hero, guided reading text. how to complete tasks
Faculty votes – faculty leaders, activities for whole school e.g. snow investigation, best displays etc
‘Responsibility’ is one of the values taught explicitly as one of our school rules. The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout the school day, as well as when reflecting on and considering the impact of our behaviour on others in collective worship. Pupils take part in creating class rules. They 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. Visits from authorities such as the police and fire service are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message. Year 6 pupils have the opportunity to take part in Crucial Crew an interactive life skills session organised and led by the emergency services.
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 young pupils to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it be through choice of challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Our school ethos revolves around our care and commitment to all members of the school community. Everybody matters. Posters and displays around the school promote respect for others and this is reiterated in the classroom, as well as our behaviour policy.
We teach pupils tolerance through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying are followed up and supported by learning in RE and PSHE. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.