The DfE expect that schools will 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 Bishop David Sheppard Primary School, we believe that our Vision Statement and our 6 Christian Values underpin this and fully support these fundamental British Values in educating our children to live in a multi-cultural, multi-faith Britain.
We are committed to promoting these British Values in the following ways:
Democracy
Democracy flourishes within our school. Pupil voice, as well as parent/carer voice, plays a central part in driving school improvement. Pupils regularly have opportunities to have their voices heard through our School Council, Ethos Group and Eco Council as well as pupil questionnaires. Our school behaviour policy involves rewards which the pupils have contributed to deciding. Our active School Councils are elected by the children themselves after prospective nominees make speeches to each class to seek their election. This ensures that children understand the way elections function. The School Council, Eco Council and Ethos Group meet regularly and take part in decision making on a range of topics. A prime example of this is the way in which all stakeholders re-evaluated our Vision Statement. Our Ethos Committee have taken an active role in supporting other children with worship around school.
The school ensures that pupils co-operate and consider the views and needs of others. We have received our certificate to recognise our commitment to achieving Rights Respecting Schools’ Award and the children learn about the Articles of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child and create a class charter- articles to follow within their classroom.
The Rule of Law
All staff members have high expectations of the children in our school. The importance of laws and rules are consistently reinforced in the classroom, as well as through school assemblies. Every child has been consulted on drafting our Behaviour Rules for display on our junior and infant playgrounds. Pupils follow our positive behaviour policy and clearly understand the rewards and sanctions that are used. At the start of the school year, children from each class develop their own class charter which outlines their responsibilities in ensuring that the classroom is a safe and effective learning environment. Assemblies and discussions in class focus on making the right choices and we employ a restorative justice approach to resolving any conflict in a spirit of reconciliation.
Individual Liberty
Teaching our children about the Articles of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child ensures that they understand clearly the importance of and the legality of individual liberty.
Developing the self-esteem and self-confidence of our pupils is a core vision for our school and this is supported by our commitment to providing a wide range of after school clubs which also enable our pupils to develop their talents, their sense of community, their understanding of team work and fair play, and to graduate from Children’s University. Our pupils are encouraged to be independent learners, making choices, within a safe and supportive environment. Pupils are encouraged to understand their personal freedoms and are taught how to use these rights to best effect. Our pupils eagerly support charities, whether local, national or global. Pupils suggest fundraising events, such as a cake sale for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. They are taught consideration for others through our Religious Education curriculum and Collective Worships and our enriching curriculum. E-safety lessons enable the children to make choices in a safe manner.
Mutual Respect
Our Christian Values of respect, friendship, forgiveness, fairness, endurance and compassion permeate all areas of school life. This engenders a climate within which pupils feel safe and secure and facilitates the fulfilment of their potential. All staff demonstrate respect to everyone with whom they come into contact. They consistently model and promote the behaviours and attitudes that are the foundation of positive relationships. The strong school ethos encourages everyone to consider others and to support each other and to celebrate the worth and individuality of every member of the school community. Discussions in class and during whole school assemblies as well during Collective Worships, demonstrate that the children show respect and reverence to all other individuals. Our non-Christian children take an active role in worship. The politeness of our children and calm ethos of our inclusive school clearly demonstrate the respectfulness of our pupils to each other and to staff members.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
Bishop David Sheppard Primary school has a culturally diverse pupil population, with many of our children coming from a variety of countries. These children are welcomed into our school community by both children and staff and are fully supported to learn English to enable them to engage with their learning. This is achieved through our curriculum and through the spiritual life of the school.
We are proud of the inclusive nature of our Church of England school and of our children’s acceptance of difference. Assemblies, class work and the teaching of the articles of the U.N. convention, all promote acceptance of diversity of society and the right for each person to be respected and valued equally regardless of ability, gender, faith, heritage or race. Our RE curriculum teaches the children about other faiths and the links that can be made with their own faith. Each half term, one class will perform an assembly on a different faith and each class will spend some time looking closely at a certain aspect of that faith whether it be places of worship, holy books or religious symbols. Our History curriculum allows the children to study and understand the diverse heritage of the world. This work is also embedded in the many other curriculum areas which are studied throughout the year. We also often use opportunities such as the Olympics, The Paralympics, the World Cup, the Commonwealth Games or Chinese New Year to study other cultures. A visit to our local synagogue is a regular event in the school calendar.
We actively demonstrate our pride in Britain by celebrating events concerning the Monarchy, for example we held a picnic for the Queen’s Jubilee. Harvest Festival and Remembrance Day are celebrated annually. We take an active role in Service above Self every year.