British Values

At Great Sankey Primary we believe that the strong values we hold are at the core of our school ethos. We believe that these values set the high standards of behaviour and attitudes our children display in school, in the choices they make and their involvement within our community.

Our five core values have been especially chosen to demonstrate the qualities which we feel best reflect what it is to be a GSP citizen. These values are woven through our curriculum and are exemplified in our actions. When we capture a child demonstrating any of our values, we praise them and celebrate them.

Be Honest - We tell the truth and are fair.

Be Accepting - We understand how we are alike and how we are different, and we treat everyone with respect and understanding.

Be Responsible - We carry out roles and duties to the best of our ability and accept consequences for our actions.

Be Resilient - We tap into our strengths to overcome challenges and problems and we never give up.

Be Kind - We use caring words and our actions are friendly and considerate.

British Values

The DfE have 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 GSP, British values are promoted across many areas including school assemblies, Religious Education, RSE and PSHE sessions as well as within the wider teaching of the curriculum. We believe our school values complement British values in many ways. As a school, we promote good health and fitness, perseverance, optimism and a “can-do” attitude in all. We celebrate each child’s success and encourage them to take pride in their own, as well as others’, achievements. We engage children in a creative curriculum that is tailored to their needs and reflects the context and community in which they live. At all times we seek to inspire children with a love of learning which will remain with them throughout their lives. Together with our parents, governors and the wider community, we aim for all children to succeed to the very highest standards. Children have opportunities to work both individually and collaboratively, giving them confidence, skills, independence and the self-esteem needed to be successful in a rapidly developing world. In order to fulfil our school vision, we seek to constantly adapt and improve, listen to parents and children and have ongoing evaluation and debate amongst stakeholders.

As well as actively promoting British values, we are also proactive in challenging pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British values, including ‘extremist’ views.

In 2011, the government defined British Values as democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. We promote these values through our own school values, curriculum and enrichment activities.

Value

How do we promote it at GSP?

Democracy

Links to GSP values:

Be Honest

Be Responsible

UN CRC Article 12: Children have the right to say what they think should happen, when adults are making decisions that affect them, and to have their opinions taken into account

Our House Captains and Vice Captains are elected through a democratic process that includes the candidates making speeches and pupils voting anonymously.

· Our School Council is elected annually and this is used as another opportunity to promote and teach the democratic process.

· The School Councillors represent their respective classes and feedback following every meeting.

· Every child is a member of a house team which promotes teamwork, collaborative working, sharing and making decisions and representing one another.

· Children are encouraged to volunteer for roles within school and in the community, such as prefects, Eco-councillors, School Council members, Welfare Warriors, Sports Councillors etc.

· Democracy is promoted through PSHE lessons and whole school assemblies.

· We plan for some of our assemblies to have a theme linked to one of our core values. Children's ideas and understanding is gathered and shared. Over time their understanding of the core value is developed.

· All school productions feature every child and children are able to choose and apply for their preferred roles.

· Children were part of the recent revision of our school values.

· Pupils also have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our Pupil questionnaires. These are shared with the pupils through the school council and actions are discussed and planned for in response. Pupils also have their opinions and views heard through regular pupil voice as part of the school's monitoring process.

· Staff also have opportunities to have their voices heard and opinions sought through questionnaires, an annual survey and regular meetings.

· Parents have the opportunity to be part of the Parent Forum to also express their opinions and ideas in helping to drive school improvements. They are also able to give their views and opinions through Stay and Learn feedback as well as the annual parent survey.

The rule of law

Links to GSP values:

Be Honest

Be Responsible

Be Accepting

Be Kind

UN CRC Article 19: Governments should ensure that children are properly cared for, and protect them from violence, abuse and neglect by their parents, or anyone else who looks after them.

The importance of laws, of those that govern the class, the school and the country, are consistently reinforced daily in school, as well as when dealing with behaviour and in school assemblies.

· Pupils are taught the values and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.

· We work closely with various authorities such as the local police, PCSO and fire service, who also come into school to reinforce such messages and also explain their roles within the community.

· Children are regularly rewarded and praised for demonstrating good behaviour in and around school. This is recognised through such rewards as our value certificates, 'Star of the Week', notes home, House Point system and Celebration assembly. Children are fully aware of rewards and sanctions as per our Positive Behaviour policy.

· We record serious behaviours on our internal reporting system, CPOMS.

· Celebrations and 'magic moments' are also recorded and shared with others, including on our weekly newsletter.

· Through assemblies and PSHE lessons, children are taught how to earn respect and trust each other. This is developed through giving them the opportunity to exhibit these behaviours such as leaving the hall, entering the building from play and lunch independently to show that there is a mutual trust and respect. Children are supported to develop a strong sense of morality; knowing the difference between right and wrong and always making the right choices and recognising consequences when they do not.

· All classes display and strive to abide by the school's Golden rules as well as developing and agreeing upon their open class rules that underpin the whole school approach.

· All our staff receive regular training in safeguarding and we have a dedicated school team who meet regularly to constantly review safeguarding procedures and actions throughout the school with regards to safeguarding.

· All staff keep detailed safeguarding records using our internal reporting system, CPOMS.

Individual liberty

Links to GSP values:

Be Accepting

Be Kind

Be Resilient

Be Responsible

UN CRC Article 31: All children have a right to relax and play, and to join in a wide range of activities.

UN CRC Article 15: Children have the right to meet together and to join groups and organisations, as long as this does not stop other people from enjoying their rights.

Through our school values, the PSHE Programme of Study and the wider teaching of the curriculum, children are actively encouraged and taught to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. They are encouraged to be ambitious and are set high aspirational targets.

· Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personnel freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons.

· Through choice of challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, children are given the freedom, opportunities and encouragement to make choices and follow their interests.

· Our numerous extra-curricular clubs are wide ranging and inclusive and planned to ensure a wide range of activities that maximise various involvements from sports, arts, games, social to skill developing.

· Through focused lessons, local PCSO support and regular guidance, children are taught how to keep themselves safe, including whilst on-line.

· We work closely with the NSPCC who visit the school to lead assemblies and focused lessons on ways to keep safe.

· Our cross-curricular topics and wide and varied curriculum is carefully planned to provide all of our children the opportunity to succeed, enjoy and demonstrated their gifts.

· We have a dedicated pastoral support worker who supports, advises and guides the children who may feel vulnerable and need 'bubble time,' a time to talk and share their feelings.

· We hold regular pastoral sessions in which children have the opportunity to meet together to share their positives and worries.

· All children have the right to challenge behaviours that stop them from accessing the curriculum, from school life and from enjoying their rights.

· Children in Year Two, Year Four and Year Six are given the opportunity to go on residential visits.

Mutual respect

Links to GSP values:

Be Accepting

Be Kind

Be Responsible

UN CRC Article 2: The Convention applies to everyone whatever their race, religion, abilities, whatever they think or say and whatever type of family they come from.

UN CRC Article 30: Children have a right to learn and use the language and customs of their families, whether these are shared by the majority of people in the country or not

Our school ethos and Positive Behaviour policy revolves around core values such as 'respect' and 'acceptance'. The children are part of regular discussions and assemblies related to what it means and how we can show it. Children know that they should treat others the way that they would like to be treated.

· Displays around school promote such values and this is also reiterated through our classroom learning and golden rules.

· Children display excellent manners throughout school and support each other with this. All staff model such behaviours consistently.

· Through our inclusive ethos, school values and curriculum teaching, children are taught to respect and accpet each other, to cooperate, support, collaborate and look for similarities whilst also tolerate and being understanding of any differences.

· Assemblies focus on helping children to understand specific special needs, differences and develop mutual respect. Themes explore and develop their understanding as well as additional PSHE lessons.

· Through our RE curriculum, children are given the opportunities and teaching to develop a wider understanding and respect for people from all races, religions and abilities.

· Our strong curriculum is inclusive as are our wide range of extra-curricular opportunities.

· Our newsletter celebrates efforts and achievements as does our website, giving our community the opportunity to respond to others' achievements.

· Weekly celebration assemblies enable us to share and celebrate effort and achievement both inside and outside school.

· In all sporting activities and competitive events, children are taught to respect one another and show good sportsmanship.

· Children regularly support one another with class teaching, peer assessment and learning.

Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs

Links to school values:

Be Accepting

Be Kind

UN CRC Article 14: Children have the right to think and believe what they want, and to practise their religion, as long as they are not stopping other people from enjoying their rights. Parents should guide their children on these matters.

We teach and develop children's understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society through giving them opportunities to experience such diversity.

· We have high expectations of pupil conduct and this is reflected in our Positive Behaviour policy and Equality policy.

· Assemblies and the wider curriculum involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and support by learning in PSHE and RE.

· Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.

· Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs is promoted through or Religious Education scheme of work. Within this children learn about different religions, beliefs, places of worship and various festivals. Their learning is often celebrated and displayed in classrooms and around school.

· Assemblies also mark and celebrate significant religious festivals as do themes of learning across the school.

· Through the wider curriculum, children learn about influential people who have a range of beliefs across society.

· Children have the opportunity to visit different places of worship and we welcome visitors from different religions and beliefs.

· Themed lunches celebrate different festivals.