British Values

In accordance with The Department for Education, we aim to actively promote British values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. Pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law.

The Key British Values are:

• democracy
• rule of law
• individual liberty
• mutual respect
• tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

Promoting British Values at Cheadle Catholic Infant School.

At Cheadle Catholic Infant School we aim for our children to become responsible and fully rounded members of society who treat others with respect and tolerance, regardless of background. We promote the basic British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs in the following ways:

Democracy:
We have a School Council with members from Year Two. The Council meet half termly and in the meetings the children’s views and ideas on a range of school issues are sought and they help make decisions. They also collect class views which they bring to their meetings and are involved in fund raising for the school.

Staff encourage children to see their role in the bigger picture, encouraging children to know that their views count, to value each other’s views and talk about their feelings, for example when they do or do not need help. When appropriate children and staff demonstrate democracy in action, for example, children sharing views on what story to read with a show of hands.

The Rule of Law:
Children are taught about the values of the school and the school Golden Rules. Pupils are taught the importance of, and reasons behind, our school Golden Rules, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when the Golden Rules are not kept. We have a variety of rewards when children keep the Golden Rules including Golden Time, class tokens and Stars of the Week. These show children that  our Golden Rules are special and in keeping them they will be rewarded.

Individual Liberty:
Pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.  Making choices is crucial to the way we want our children to learn and this is taught through assemblies and PHSE work. Through our work we discuss different choices that the children can make and encourage them to make the right choices. We teach online safety as a key component of the computing curriculum and the importance of making safe choices when online.

We encourage our children to develop a positive sense of themselves. Staff provide opportunities for children to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and increase their confidence in their own abilities, for example through allowing children to take risks on an obstacle course or in Forest School, mixing colours, talking about their experiences and learning.

Staff encourage a range of experiences that allow children to explore the language of feelings and responsibility, reflect on their differences and understand that we are free to have different opinions,

Mutual Respect:
Respect is at the heart of our school and is one of our core values. We are an inclusive school where everyone is valued and has a contribution to make to the school.

Staff create an ethos of inclusivity and tolerance where views, faiths, cultures and races are valued and children are engaged with the wider community.

Children acquire a tolerance and appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures. They know about similarities and differences between themselves and others and among  families, faiths, communities, cultures and traditions. They share and discuss practices, celebrations and experiences.

 Staff  encourage and explain the importance of tolerant behaviours such as sharing and  respecting other’s opinions.

Staff promote diverse attitudes and challenge stereotypes, for example, sharing stories that reflect and value the diversity of children’s experiences and providing resources and activities that challenge gender, cultural and racial stereotyping.

During their time at Cheadle Catholic Infant School, children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:
All different faiths and beliefs are explored and celebrated through  the texts we use, the artists and scientists we learn about and the topics we study. The children are taught that people have different faiths and beliefs and that these should be accepted. Children within our school with different faiths are encouraged to share their practices and special celebrations.